title: Polarisation dynamics of vector soliton molecules in mode locked fibre laser.
abstract: Two fundamental laser physics phenomena--dissipative soliton and polarisation of light are recently merged to the concept of vector dissipative soliton (VDS), viz. train of short pulses with specific state of polarisation (SOP) and shape defined by an interplay between anisotropy, gain/loss, dispersion, and nonlinearity. Emergence of VDSs is both of the fundamental scientific interest and is also a promising technique for control of dynamic SOPs important for numerous applications from nano-optics to high capacity fibre optic communications. Using specially designed and developed fast polarimeter, we present here the first experimental results on SOP evolution of vector soliton molecules with periodic polarisation switching between two and three SOPs and superposition of polarisation switching with SOP precessing. The underlying physics presents an interplay between linear and circular birefringence of a laser cavity along with light induced anisotropy caused by polarisation hole burning.
authors.affiliation: 1] Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies, School of Engineering & Applied Science Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK [2] National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK [3] School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK.
authors.forename: Veronika
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tsatourian
authors.forename: Sergey V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Sergeyev
authors.forename: Chengbo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mou
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rozhin
authors.forename: Vitaly
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mikhailov
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rabin
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Westbrook
authors.forename: Sergei K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Turitsyn