Multi-octave supercontinuum generation from mid-infrared filamentation in a bulk crystal

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Nonlinear Optics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Supercontinuum generation is crucial for applications requiring broadband light.
• Existing sources often lack desired properties like wide spectral coverage or pulse integrity.
• Developing versatile, compact supercontinuum sources remains a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the first supercontinuum generation in bulk homogeneous material spanning the UV to mid-infrared.
• To achieve a broad spectral coverage of 3.3 octaves with high spectral energy density.
• To present a method for compact supercontinuum sources with high shot-to-shot reproducibility.

Main Methods:

• Filamentation of femtosecond mid-infrared pulses in bulk homogeneous material.
• Utilizing the anomalous dispersion regime for spectral broadening.
• Characterization of spectral coverage, energy density, and shot-to-shot stability.

Main Results:

• Achieved a supercontinuum spectrum from 450 nm to the mid-infrared (3.3 octaves).
• Generated high spectral energy density (2 pJ nm⁻¹–10 nJ nm⁻¹).
• Demonstrated high shot-to-shot reproducibility and preserved carrier-to-envelope phase.

Conclusions:

• The presented method offers an all-in-one solution for supercontinuum generation.
• This technique enables the development of compact and versatile supercontinuum sources.
• The results pave the way for new applications in spectroscopy, imaging, and sensing.