Intense vector supercontinuum radiation from femtosecond filamentation

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear Optics
• Laser Physics

Background:

• Supercontinuum (SC) generation is crucial for various optical technologies.
• Vector beams offer unique spatial polarization properties that can influence nonlinear processes.
• Previous SC generation methods often lack control over polarization or intensity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the generation of intense vector supercontinuum (SC) radiation using femtosecond vector laser beams.
• To analyze the enhancement of SC generation by different types of vector beams compared to Gaussian beams.
• To characterize the polarization distribution of the generated SC across a wide wavelength range.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an 800nm femtosecond vector laser to generate SC radiation in air.
• Investigated SC generation using azimuthally, radially, cylindrically polarized beams, and higher-order vector beams.
• Analyzed the energy density and polarization distribution of the SC across visible to near-infrared bands.

Main Results:

• SC generation by vector beams was significantly enhanced compared to Gaussian beams.
• Achieved energy densities of 1µJ/nm (559-817 nm) and 0.1µJ/nm (500-559 nm).
• Observed that the SC maintained a polarization distribution similar to the pump pulses.

Conclusions:

• Femtosecond vector laser beams provide an effective method for generating powerful SC vector beams.
• The generated SC radiation exhibits enhanced energy density and preserved polarization.
• This technique holds promise for applications in optical communication, micro/nano-fabrication, and super-resolution microscopy.