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Infrared Degenerate Four-wave Mixing with Upconversion Detection for Quantitative Gas Sensing
Published on: March 22, 2019
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Intermodal four-wave mixing in silicon core fibers: enabling versatile wavelength conversion in the mid-infrared
Optics Express
|November 11, 2025
Summary
Highly nonlinear silicon core fibers enable efficient mid-infrared wavelength conversion for communications and sensing. This study demonstrates a novel intermodal four-wave mixing (FWM) scheme achieving wide bandwidths and high efficiencies in compact all-fiber devices.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nonlinear Optics
Background:
- Silicon core fibers (SCFs) offer extended mid-infrared transmission.
- The 3-5 μm atmospheric window is crucial for free-space communications and remote sensing.
- Efficient wavelength conversion is needed for these applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To numerically explore an intermodal four-wave mixing (FWM) scheme for wavelength conversion in SCFs.
- To assess the feasibility of using tapered nanospike couplers for all-fiber devices.
- To investigate the potential for wide spectral translation within the mid-infrared atmospheric window.
Main Methods:
- Numerical exploration of intermodal four-wave mixing (FWM) in large-diameter SCFs.
- Utilizing the unique intermodal zero dispersion property of SCFs.
- Simulating the use of tapered nanospike couplers for device integration.
Main Results:
- Prediction of wide conversion bandwidths (>300 nm) using a 25 mm long SCF.
- Achieving high conversion efficiencies (2-15%) with a single fiber-based pump source at 1.95 μm.
- Demonstration of the potential for compact, all-fiber systems.
Conclusions:
- The proposed intermodal FWM scheme in SCFs is highly efficient for mid-infrared wavelength conversion.
- SCFs provide a unique platform for integrated photonic devices for communications and sensing.
- This all-fiber approach eliminates the need for bulky external components, showcasing SCF advantages.
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