Fiber lasers can be mode-locked using nonlinear polarization evolution (NPE). NPE relies on the nonlinear refractive index changing with the power of orthogonal polarizations. This causes cross effects between polarizations, leading to pulse polarization dynamics in the cavity. The laser scheme uses quarter-wave plates and a half-wave plate to manipulate the polarization state of pulses traveling through the cavity, allowing only the highest power part of each pulse to pass. This results in stable mode-locking and short pulses being produced from the laser.