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Supercontinuum generation in ultraviolet-irradiated fibers
J W Nicholson1, P S Westbrook, K S Feder
1OFS Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974, USA. jwn@ofsoptics.com
Optics Letters
|November 10, 2004
Summary
Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure significantly alters the chromatic dispersion of germanosilicate fibers, impacting infrared supercontinuum generation. This UV-induced refractive index change allows for tunable control over the supercontinuum
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Germanosilicate fibers are crucial for nonlinear optical applications.
- Supercontinuum generation is sensitive to fiber properties, particularly chromatic dispersion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of UV exposure on germanosilicate fiber dispersion.
- To demonstrate UV-induced tunability of infrared supercontinuum generation.
- To understand the mechanism controlling supercontinuum spectral edges.
Main Methods:
- Controlled UV exposure of highly nonlinear germanosilicate fibers.
- Measurement of chromatic dispersion changes.
- Observation and analysis of infrared supercontinuum spectra.
- Modeling supercontinuum generation using the nonlinear Schrödinger equation.
Main Results:
- UV exposure induces significant changes in chromatic dispersion.
- Dispersion zero and supercontinuum short-wavelength edge shifted by over 100 nm.
- UV-induced refractive index changes in the fiber core are the primary cause.
Conclusions:
- UV exposure offers a method to tune fiber dispersion and supercontinuum properties.
- The short-wavelength edge of the supercontinuum is controllable via UV-induced dispersion modification.
- This provides a pathway for tailoring supercontinuum sources for specific applications.