Short pulse wavelength tuning via timed soliton-dispersive wave interaction

A method comprising:

• coupling a first series of laser pulses at a first wavelength into an optical waveguide;
• and
• coupling a second series of laser pulses at a second wavelength into the optical waveguide, cross-phase modulation in the optical waveguide causing the first series of pulses to shift the second wavelength by a first wavelength shift;
• and
• varying a time delay between the first series of pulses and the second series of pulses so as to tune the first wavelength shift.

A laser system comprising:

• a first mode-locked laser to emit a first series of pulses at a first wavelength and a first pulse repetition frequency;
• a second mode-locked laser to emit a second series of pulses at a second wavelength different than the first wavelength and at a second pulse repetition frequency;
• an optical waveguide in optical communication with the first mode-locked laser and the second mode-locked laser and having a zero-dispersion wavelength between the first wavelength and the second wavelength, to guide the first series of pulses and the second series of pulses;
• and
• a controller, operably coupled to the first mode-locked laser and the second mode-locked laser, to vary a frequency offset between the first pulse repetition frequency and the second pulse repetition frequency, the frequency offset causing a change in time delay between the first series of pulses and the second series of pulses, the change in the time delay causing a change in the first wavelength through a change in strength of cross-phase modulation of the first series of pulses by the second series of optical pulses in the optical waveguide.