Anton Husakou

Bio: Anton Husakou is an academic researcher from University of Limoges. The author has contributed to research in topics: Supercontinuum & Photonic-crystal fiber. The author has an hindex of 29, co-authored 105 publications receiving 3438 citations.

Supercontinuum generation of higher-order solitons by fission in photonic crystal fibers.

Abstract: The nonlinear pulse propagation in photonic crystal fibers without slowly varying envelope approximation is studied using an improved variant of first-order wave equation. Supercontinuum generation is shown to be caused by a novel mechanism of spectral broadening through fission of higher-order solitons into redshifted fundamental solitons and blueshifted nonsolitonic radiation. Good agreement with experimental observations is found, and subcycle pulse compression is studied.

Experimental evidence for supercontinuum generation by fission of higher-order solitons in photonic fibers.

Abstract: We report on an experimental study of supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fibers with low-intensity femtosecond pulses, which provides evidence for a novel spectral broadening mechanism. The observed results agree with our theoretical calculations carried out without making the slowly varying envelope approximation. Peculiarities of the measured spectra and their theoretical explanation demonstrate that the reason for the white-light generation in photonic crystal fibers is fission of higher-order solitons into redshifted fundamental solitons and blueshifted nonsolitonic radiation.

Supercontinuum generation, four-wave mixing, and fission of higher-order solitons in photonic-crystal fibers

Abstract: The nonlinear propagation of femtosecond pulses in photonic-crystal fibers is investigated theoretically without the use of the slowly varying envelope approximation. Low-intensity supercontinuum generation caused by fission of higher-order solitons into red-shifted fundamental solitons and blue-shifted nonsolitonic radiation is studied in a large range of fiber and pulse parameters. It is shown that phase matching of degenerate four-wave mixing can be achieved in an extremely broad frequency range from the IR to the UV. Spontaneous generation of new frequency components and parametric amplification by four-wave mixing as well as its possible overlap with soliton fission are studied in detail.

Multi-meter fiber-delivery and pulse self-compression of milli-Joule femtosecond laser and fiber-aided laser-micromachining.

Abstract: We report on damage-free fiber-guidance of milli-Joule energy-level and 600-femtosecond laser pulses into hypocycloid core-contour Kagome hollow-core photonic crystal fibers. Up to 10 meter-long fibers were used to successfully deliver Yb-laser pulses in robustly single-mode fashion. Different pulse propagation regimes were demonstrated by simply changing the fiber dispersion and gas. Self-compression to ~50 fs, and intensity-level nearing petawatt/cm(2) were achieved. Finally, free focusing-optics laser-micromachining was also demonstrated on different materials.

Theory of plasmon-enhanced high-order harmonic generation in the vicinity of metal nanostructures in noble gases

Abstract: We present a semiclassical model for plasmon-enhanced high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in the vicinity of metal nanostructures. We show that, besides the field enhancement, both the inhomogeneity of the enhanced local fields and electron absorption by the metal surface play an important role in the HHG process and lead to the generation of even harmonics and a significantly increased cutoff. For the examples of silver-coated nanocones and bowtie antennas, we predict that the required intensity reduces by up to three orders of magnitude due to plasmonic field enhancement. The study of the enhanced high-order harmonic generation is connected with a finite-element simulation of the electric field enhancement due to the excitation of the plasmonic modes.

Supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fiber

Abstract: A topical review of numerical and experimental studies of supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fiber is presented over the full range of experimentally reported parameters, from the femtosecond to the continuous-wave regime. Results from numerical simulations are used to discuss the temporal and spectral characteristics of the supercontinuum, and to interpret the physics of the underlying spectral broadening processes. Particular attention is given to the case of supercontinuum generation seeded by femtosecond pulses in the anomalous group velocity dispersion regime of photonic crystal fiber, where the processes of soliton fission, stimulated Raman scattering, and dispersive wave generation are reviewed in detail. The corresponding intensity and phase stability properties of the supercontinuum spectra generated under different conditions are also discussed.

Optical rogue waves

Abstract: Recent observations show that the probability of encountering an extremely large rogue wave in the open ocean is much larger than expected from ordinary wave-amplitude statistics. Although considerable effort has been directed towards understanding the physics behind these mysterious and potentially destructive events, the complete picture remains uncertain. Furthermore, rogue waves have not yet been observed in other physical systems. Here, we introduce the concept of optical rogue waves, a counterpart of the infamous rare water waves. Using a new real-time detection technique, we study a system that exposes extremely steep, large waves as rare outcomes from an almost identically prepared initial population of waves. Specifically, we report the observation of rogue waves in an optical system, based on a microstructured optical fibre, near the threshold of soliton-fission supercontinuum generation--a noise-sensitive nonlinear process in which extremely broadband radiation is generated from a narrowband input. We model the generation of these rogue waves using the generalized nonlinear Schrodinger equation and demonstrate that they arise infrequently from initially smooth pulses owing to power transfer seeded by a small noise perturbation.

A Review of Surface Plasmon Resonance‐Enhanced Photocatalysis

Abstract: In the past decade, the surface plasmon resonance of Ag and Au nanoparticles has been investigated to improve the efficiency of photocatalytic processes. The photocatalytic production of fuels is particularly interesting for its ability to store the sun's energy in chemical bonds that can be released later without producing harmful byproducts. This Feature Article reviews recent work demonstrating plasmon-enhanced photocatalytic water splitting, reduction of CO2 with H2O to form hydrocarbon fuels, and degradation of organic molecules. Focus is placed on several possible mechanisms that have been previously discussed in the literature. A particular emphasis is given to several aspects of these mechanisms that are not fully understood and will require further investigation.

New CMOS-compatible platforms based on silicon nitride and hydex for nonlinear optics

Abstract: Nonlinear photonic chips can generate and process signals all-optically with far superior performance to that possible electronically — particularly with respect to speed. Although silicon-on-insulator has been the leading platform for nonlinear optics, its high two-photon absorption at telecommunication wavelengths poses a fundamental limitation. We review recent progress in non-silicon CMOS-compatible platforms for nonlinear optics, with a focus on Si3N4 and Hydex®. These material systems have opened up many new capabilities such as on-chip optical frequency comb generation and ultrafast optical pulse generation and measurement. We highlight their potential future impact as well as the challenges to achieving practical solutions for many key applications. This article reviews recent progress in the use of silicon nitride and Hydex as non-silicon-based CMOS-compatible platforms for nonlinear optics. New capabilities such as on-chip optical frequency comb generation, ultrafast optical pulse generation and measurement using these materials, and their potential future impact and challenges are covered.

Wireless sub-THz communication system with high data rate

Abstract: A wireless communication system with a maximum data rate of 100 Gbit s−1 over 20 m is demonstrated using a carrier frequency of 237.5 GHz. The photonic schemes used to generate the signal carrier and local oscillator are described, as is the fast photodetector used as a mixer for data extraction.