Nonlinear self-switching and multiple gap-soliton formation in a fiber Bragg grating

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear optics
• Photonics
• Condensed matter physics

Background:

• Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are crucial optical components.
• Nonlinear effects in photonic devices are key for advanced applications.
• Understanding soliton formation is vital for optical signal processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally demonstrate quasi-continuous-wave (quasi-cw) nonlinear switching in FBGs.
• To investigate the formation of multiple gap-solitons within the FBG bandgap.
• To characterize the generated gap-solitons and their impact on FBG transmission.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a 2-ns pulsed laser source.
• Launching pulses at a peak intensity of approximately 27 GW/cm^2 into an FBG.
• Observing and analyzing the nonlinear switching and soliton formation dynamics.
• Measuring the FBG transmission characteristics.

Main Results:

• Experimental observation of quasi-cw nonlinear switching in an FBG.
• Generation of up to five gap-solitons with durations of 100-500 picoseconds.
• Significant increase in FBG transmission from 3% to 40% of incident pulse energy.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the first experimental evidence of quasi-cw nonlinear switching and multiple gap-soliton formation in FBGs.
• The findings demonstrate the potential of FBGs for generating and controlling optical solitons.
• The observed increase in transmission highlights the practical implications for optical device performance.