UC Irvine

We report a simultaneous dual-band wavelength-swept laser based on the active mode locking method. By applying a single modulation signal, synchronized sweeping of two lasing-wavelengths is demonstrated without the use of a mechanical wavelength-selecting filter. Two free spectral ranges are independently controlled with a dual path-length configuration of a laser cavity. The static and dynamic performances of a dual-band wavelength-swept active mode locking fiber laser are characterized in both the time and wavelength regions. Two lasing wavelengths were swept simultaneously from 1263.0 to 1333.3 nm for the 1310 nm band and from 1493 to 1563.3 nm for the 1550 nm band. The application of a dual-band wavelength-swept fiber laser was also demonstrated with a dual-band optical coherence tomography imaging system. © 1989-2012 IEEE.