Mode-Locked Fiber Laser Sensors with Orthogonally Polarized Pulses Circulating in the Cavity.

Intracavity phase interferometry is a powerful phase sensing technique using two correlated, counter-propagating frequency combs (pulse trains) in mode-locked lasers. Generating dual frequency combs of the same repetition rate in fiber lasers is a new field with hitherto unanticipated challenges. The large intensity in the fiber core, coupled with the nonlinear index of glass, result in a cumulative nonlinear index on axis that dwarfs the signal to be measured.

Impact of resonant dispersion on the sensitivity of intracavity phase interferometry and laser gyros.

Intracavity phase interferometry is a phase sensing technique using mode-locked lasers in which two intracavity pulses circulate. The beat frequency between the two output frequency combs is proportional to a phase shift to be measured. A laser gyro is a particular implementation of this device.