Extreme wave dynamics in ultrashort fiber lasers

Abstract

We review recent experiments that demonstrate the existence of optical wave transients of unusually high amplitude in fiber lasers operated in the vicinity of mode locking. These transients are analyzed in the context of optical rogue wave formation, with an important role played by the constraints of ultrafast measurements. From these investigations, a universal rogue wave mechanism is highlighted, which results from the evolution of a chaotic bunch of pulses or sub-pulses, subjected to numerous inelastic collisions, while traveling round the laser cavity.