Eighth-order rational harmonic mode-locked fiber laser with amplitude-equalized output operating at 80 Gbits/s.

We report the generation of an 80 Gbit/s pulse train by an eighth-order rational harmonic mode-locking technique. Equalized pulse-train amplitude is achieved by proper adjustment of the dc bias point and the 10 GHz modulation strength applied to the cavity-loss modulator. A numerical model is developed to simulate the properties of the generated 80 Gbit/s pulse train. The simulated results are well supported by the experimental measurements.