Pulsed fiber laser using micro-electro-mechanical mirrors

Two different types of micromirrors are integrated with a fiber laser to modulate the cavity <i>Q</i>-factor. Both systems operate at frequencies up to 60 kHz and generate a pulse peak power 100 times higher than the continuous emission. We simulate the emitted pulses and find a good agreement with the measured value for the period of relaxation oscillations. The simulations also show the necessity of a shorter rise time of the <i>Q</i>-factor modulation to achieve one single giant and narrow <i>Q</i>-switched pulse.