Robust operation of linearly polarized broad-range self-sweeping Ho-doped fiber laser

Abstract A stable self-sweeping operation with a sweeping range of 10 nm near 2100 nm in a Ho-doped fiber laser which does not require preliminary tuning is demonstrated. The polarization maintaining elements and approaches for the active fiber cooling were applied to stabilize the laser operation regime. The narrowband linearly polarized tunable radiation with average output power of more than 200 mW is generated. The regular transition of generation regime from the quasi continuous wave lasing to self-pulsations taking place at a certain moment during each scan is demonstrated for the first time. The developed source can be used for spectroscopy of nitrous oxide, having absorption lines in that spectral region.