Unveiling intracavity soliton evolution dynamics of a mode-locked fiber laser along the dispersion map

Mode-locked fiber lasers are excellent platforms for soliton generation. Solitons exhibit distinct distribution and evolution characteristics depending on the net dispersion of the laser cavity. Here we propose an experimental scheme to reconstruct the intracavity dynamics of solitons within a mode-locked fiber laser. The proposed scheme is facilitated by disposing multiple output ports at different positions throughout the cavity, thereby enabling in-depth observation and manipulation of soliton evolution along the dispersion map. The experimental results verify corresponding simulations and explain some phenomena from the perspective of soliton evolution. Our results offer a pathway for comprehensive analyses of intracavity pulse dynamics, fostering advancements in nonlinear and ultrafast optics.