Semiconductor all-optical modulator for synchronization of independent fiber laser oscillators and active mode-locking

Using an optically driven nonlinear semiconductor mirror, we have synchronized a 1.56-/spl mu/m mode-locked erbium fiber laser to the pulse train from a mode-locked ytterbium fiber laser operating at 1.05 /spl mu/m. We demonstrate that a robust active or passive mode-locked picosecond pulse operation and tight control of the repetition rate can be obtained resulting in a large value of the locking tolerance for the slave laser cavity mismatch exceeding 250 /spl mu/m.