Spectral characterization of a supercontinuum source
based on nonlinear broadening in an aqueous K₂ZnCl₄
salt solution
based on nonlinear broadening in an aqueous K₂ZnCl₄
salt solution
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Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We report on investigations concerning the shot-to-shot spectral stability properties of a supercontinuum source based on nonlinear processes such as self-phase modulation and optical wave-breaking in a highly concentrated K2ZnCl4K2ZnCl4 double salt solution. The use of a liquid medium offers both damage resistance and high third-order optical nonlinearity. Approximately 40 μJ pulses spanning a spectral range between 390 and 960 nm were produced with 3.8% RMS energy stability, using infrared input pulses of 500±50 fs500±50 fs FWHM durations and 2.42±0.04 mJ2.42±0.04 mJ energies with an RMS stability of 2%. The spectral stability was quantified via acquiring single-shot spectra and studying shot-to-shot variation across a spectral range of 200–1100 nm, as well as by considering spectral correlations. The regional spectral correlation variations were indicative of nonlinear processes leading to sideband generation. Spectral stability and efficiency of energy transfer into the supercontinuum were found to weakly improve with increasing driver pulse energy, suggesting that the nonlinear broadening processes are more stable when driven more strongly, or that self-guiding effects in a filament help to stabilize the supercontinuum generation.
Date Issued
2017-12-10
Date Acceptance
2017-10-20
Citation
Applied Optics, 56 (35), pp.9837-9845
ISSN
0003-6935
Publisher
Optical Society of America
Start Page
9837
End Page
9845
Journal / Book Title
Applied Optics
Volume
56
Issue
35
Copyright Statement
Published by The Optical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Further distribution of this work
must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.
must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.
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Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Grant Number
EP/H500227/1
N/A
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Optics
SELF-FREQUENCY SHIFT
PHOTONIC-CRYSTAL FIBER
SILICA MICROSTRUCTURE FIBER
EFFECT PULSE-COMPRESSION
MODULATION INSTABILITY
LASER FILAMENTS
HIGH-POWER
GENERATION
WATER
LIGHT
0205 Optical Physics
0913 Mechanical Engineering
0906 Electrical And Electronic Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2017-12-08