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In-situ Tapering of Chalcogenide Fiber for Mid-infrared Supercontinuum Generation
Published on: May 27, 2013
Supercontinuum generation in chalcogenide-silica step-index fibers
N Granzow1, S P Stark, M A Schmidt
1Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Guenther-Scharowsky Str. 1, 91058 Erlangen, Germany. nicolai.granzow@mpl.mpg.de
Optics Express
|October 15, 2011
Summary
Highly nonlinear chalcogenide-silica waveguides enable octave-spanning supercontinuum generation. This novel fabrication method allows for broadband light generation with low pulse energies, paving the way for advanced optical applications.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear optics
- Materials science
- Optical engineering
Background:
- Supercontinuum generation is crucial for various photonic applications.
- Chalcogenide glasses offer unique nonlinear optical properties.
- Integrating these glasses into silica platforms presents fabrication challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate supercontinuum generation using a novel chalcogenide-silica waveguide.
- To explore the potential of pressure-assisted melt-filling for fabricating highly nonlinear devices.
- To numerically investigate broadband supercontinuum generation in As2S3:silica fibers.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a chalcogenide-silica waveguide via pressure-assisted melt-filling.
- Characterization of the waveguide's nonlinear optical properties.
- Numerical simulations using the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation.
Main Results:
- Octave-spanning supercontinuum generation was achieved in a 1 cm Ga4Ge21Sb10S65:silica waveguide with 60 pJ pulse energy.
- Experimental results showed good agreement with theoretical predictions.
- Numerical simulations predicted supercontinuum generation up to 4 µm in an As2S3:silica fiber.
Conclusions:
- Pressure-assisted melt-filling is an effective method for creating highly nonlinear optical devices.
- Chalcogenide-silica waveguides are promising for efficient supercontinuum generation.
- This technique enables the use of unusual material combinations for advanced photonic applications.
