Fast-tuning, low-noise, compact Brillouin/erbium fiber laser.

We demonstrate a fast-tuning Brillouin/erbium fiber laser (BEFL) using 4 m erbium-doped fiber (EDF) as both the Brillouin and erbium gain media. The BEFL frequency is fast tuned via modulating a piezoelectric transducer on which the EDF is coiled. Over 60 MHz frequency-tuning range is obtained at less than 5 V voltage amplitude and the tuning rates can achieve 48 kHz. This fast-tuning BEFL presents a low phase noise of -124 dB/Hz(1/2) at 1 kHz (normalized to 1 m interferometer optical path difference) with 32 kHz modulating frequency. It presents potential applications in fiber sensors and optical communications.