Supercontinuum generation in a chalcogenide all-solid hybrid microstructured optical fiber

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photonics
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) are crucial for nonlinear optical applications.
• Chalcogenide glasses offer unique nonlinear properties for mid-infrared applications.
• Supercontinuum (SC) generation requires fibers with specific chromatic dispersion characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize a novel chalcogenide all-solid hybrid microstructured optical fiber.
• To investigate the potential of this fiber for supercontinuum generation.
• To achieve broad and coherent SC generation with flattened chromatic dispersion.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a chalcogenide all-solid hybrid microstructured optical fiber.
• Characterization of the fiber's chromatic dispersion properties.
• Pumping the fiber with a femtosecond laser at 3, 4, and 5 μm.
• Analysis of the generated supercontinuum spectra.

Main Results:

• The fabricated fiber exhibited all-normal and flattened chromatic dispersion.
• Broad supercontinua were generated by pumping at 3, 4, and 5 μm.
• The broadest SC spectrum, spanning 2.2 to 10 μm at -20 dB, was achieved at 5 μm pumping.
• Good spectral flatness was observed in the generated supercontinua.

Conclusions:

• The chalcogenide all-solid hybrid MOF is suitable for supercontinuum generation.
• The fiber's dispersion properties facilitate broad and coherent SC generation.
• This technology holds promise for applications requiring broadband light sources in the mid-infrared spectrum.