Fiber laser with dual-channel and a selectable comb filter based on Vernier effect of parallel-connected two Mach–Zehnder interferometers

We propose and demonstrate the implementation and application of a new configuration of an all-fiber comb filter based on the Vernier effect produced by parallel-connected two in-line Mach–Zehnder interferometers (MZIs). Each in-line MZI was fabricated by fusion splicing a section of panda-type polarization maintaining fiber (PMF) with peanut-shaped tapers between two single-mode fibers. These two in-line MZIs, respectively, form reference and sensing interferometers, which are parallel-connected by two 3-dB optical fiber couplers to realize the Vernier effect. By incorporating the proposed comb-filter into the erbium-doped fiber laser cavity, two output channels at 1533.2 and 1558.2 nm have been achieved. Further, the combination of the parallel-connected two in-line MZIs and polarization controllers (PC1 and PC2) promotes the lasing in a switchable and selective way. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a comb filter that employs paralleled two peanut-shaped MZIs in PMF. The experimental results indicate that the proposed filter has the potential to be used in communication systems.