Optimization of the calculation efficiency in mode-locked fiber lasers

Numerical simulation based on the split-step Fourier method is an important tool to predict novel laser dynamics and facilitates the design of fiber lasers. We systematically investigated the impact of key simulation parameters including Fourier step-size, time window, and time resolution in laser cavities with net-abnormal and net-normal dispersions. Through analysis, we demonstrated that Fourier step-size played the most significant role in simulation accuracy, and further discovered that the same accuracy could be reached with less simulation time when smaller Fourier step-size were applied specifically to gain fiber. These results can facilitate a balance between simulation accuracy and computation efficiency, and serve as a reference for advancing the numerical simulation of novel fiber laser dynamics.