Mode-locking via dissipative Faraday instability in a fiber laser

In this work we report the experimental demonstration of the recently predicted new type of parametric instability - the dissipative Faraday instability. By the spatially periodic modulation of the spectrally dependent losses in zig-zag manner, we achieved temporal pattern formation and high order harmonic mode-locking in a fiber laser. The results were achieved in a very simple, but environmentally stable experimental configuration, which opens new possibilities for designs of ultrafast laser systems.