Dispersive wave generation by solitons in microstructured optical fibers

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear Optics
• Fiber Optics
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Femtosecond pulse propagation in optical fibers is crucial for supercontinuum generation.
• Soliton fission mechanisms are key in anomalous dispersion regimes.
• Microstructured fibers offer unique properties for light-matter interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the generation mechanism of a visible peak during femtosecond pulse propagation.
• Characterize the properties of this narrow-band blue light.
• Explore the role of soliton fission in visible light generation.

Main Methods:

• Experimental study of nonlinear pulse propagation in microstructured fibers.
• Spectral analysis of output light to identify the blue peak.
• Numerical simulations to understand the generation mechanism.
• Intensity-autocorrelation measurements for pulse duration analysis.

Main Results:

• A narrow-band 430-nm blue peak was observed alongside an infrared supercontinuum.
• The blue peak carries approximately one fourth of the input pulse energy.
• Simulations confirmed blue peak generation requires strong pulse compression and specific spectral overlap.
• Autocorrelation measurements indicated a picosecond duration for the blue pulse.
• Increasing input intensity led to the generation of lower-intensity satellite pulses.

Conclusions:

• The visible blue peak originates from a dispersive wave generation mechanism.
• Soliton fission plays a critical role in the formation of this blue light.
• The properties of the blue pulse are controllable via input pulse intensity and compression.