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Efficient intermodal dispersive wave generation during soliton fission
Optics Express
|August 14, 2026
Summary
Researchers studied dispersive wave emission in silicon nitride waveguides, achieving a 25% conversion efficiency by optimizing probe pulse bandwidth and achieving group velocity matching. This intermodal cross-phase modulation technique significantly enhances spectral broadening for supercontinuum generation.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear optics
- Integrated photonics
- Waveguide optics
Background:
- Intermodal cross-phase modulation (XPM) is a key nonlinear process in multimode waveguides.
- Soliton fission and dispersive wave generation are important phenomena in optical fiber and waveguide research.
- Previous experiments faced limitations in conversion efficiency due to group velocity mismatch.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the emission of a dispersive wave by a probe pulse.
- To analyze spectral broadening via intermodal XPM mediated by a fissioning soliton.
- To optimize conversion efficiency by controlling pulse parameters and achieving group velocity matching.
Main Methods:
- Experimental study in an integrated silicon nitride waveguide.
- Numerical simulations to verify the interaction mechanism (intermodal XPM).
- Systematic variation of probe pulse bandwidth and center frequency, and soliton energy.
Main Results:
- Achieved group velocity matching between the probe pulse and soliton, improving efficiency by two orders of magnitude.
- Demonstrated up to 25% photon conversion efficiency at optimal probe bandwidth (30 nm).
- Observed phase-matched dispersive wave generation from 1230 nm to 650 nm.
Conclusions:
- Intermodal XPM is the dominant mechanism for the observed spectral broadening.
- Optimized conditions led to significant improvements in dispersive wave generation efficiency.
- Intermodal dispersive wave generation shows potential for extending supercontinuum bandwidth.
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