Observation of periodic optical spectra and soliton molecules in a novel passively mode-locked fiber laser

Due to the necessity of making a series of fine adjustments after mode-locking in most experiments for preparing soliton molecules, the repeatability of the preparations remains a challenge. Here, we propose a novel all-polarization-maintaining erbium-doped fiber laser that utilizes a nonlinear amplifying loop mirror for mode-locking and features a linear structure. This laser can stably output soliton molecules without any additional adjustment once the mode-locking self-starts. It can achieve all-optical switching to single-pulse operation through changing the pumping power, making it suitable for studying the mechanism of soliton molecule bond rupture. In addition, multi-pulse operation can also be achieved. Compared to the single-pulse state, this laser is operated in the multi-pulse state at a lower pumping power level, in contrast to previous methods that relied on increasing pumping power to generate multi-pulses. As a result, these multi-pulses are not susceptible to spectral distortion caused by nonlinear effects and maintain pulse stability close to that of the single-pulse. Furthermore, as the pumping power decreases, a peak with periodic intensity variation appears in the spectral center of both the single-pulse state and multi-pulse states. Combined with the experimental facts, we propose a multistability model to explain this phenomenon. With its ability to switch between soliton molecule, soliton, and multi-pulse states, this flexible laser can serve as a versatile toolbox for studying soliton dynamics.