Dynamic evolution of multiple solitons and noise-like pulse in a fiber laser based on nonlinear optical loop mirror

We demonstrate the dynamic evolution of multiple solitons (MSs) and noise-like pulse (NLP) in a passively mode-locked fiber laser using the nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM). The conversion from MSs to the NLP-soliton hybrid regime, as well as the conversion from the NLP-soliton hybrid regime to NLP, has been investigated with increasing the pump power. When the state converts from the MS regime to the hybrid regime, the NLP first appears as an intermittent feature of the laser emission, whose lifetime progressively increases, until it becomes permanent. While the conversion from the NLP-soliton hybrid regime to NLP is gradual. Moreover, the hybrid mode of dual-wavelength MSs and NLP is also obtained by adjusting the intra-cavity polarization and the pump power. These findings will constitute an impressive illustration of the connections and interactions between solitons and NLP from a passively mode-locked fiber laser.