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.

Supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fiber

This paper gives the 2010 self-consistent set of values of the basic constants and conversion factors of physics and chemistry recommended by the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) for international use. The 2010 adjustment takes into account the data considered in the 2006 adjustment as well as the data that became available from 1 January 2007, after the closing date of that adjustment, until 31 December 2010, the closing date of the new adjustment. Further, it describes in detail the adjustment of the values of the constants, including the selection of the final set of input data based on the results of least-squares analyses. The 2010 set replaces the previously recommended 2006 CODATA set and may also be found on the World Wide Web at physics.nist.gov/constants.

/pdf/codata-recommended-values-of-the-fundamental-physical-4bsdant71c.pdf

CODATA Recommended Values of the Fundamental Physical Constants: 2006

The rise in output power from rare-earth-doped fiber sources over the past decade, via the use of cladding-pumped fiber architectures, has been dramatic, leading to a range of fiber-based devices with outstanding performance in terms of output power, beam quality, overall efficiency, and flexibility with regard to operating wavelength and radiation format. This success in the high-power arena is largely due to the fiber’s geometry, which provides considerable resilience to the effects of heat generation in the core, and facilitates efficient conversion from relatively low-brightness diode pump radiation to high-brightness laser output. In this paper we review the current state of the art in terms of continuous-wave and pulsed performance of ytterbium-doped fiber lasers, the current fiber gain medium of choice, and by far the most developed in terms of high-power performance. We then review the current status and challenges of extending the technology to other rare-earth dopants and associated wavelengths of operation. Throughout we identify the key factors currently limiting fiber laser performance in different operating regimes—in particular thermal management, optical nonlinearity, and damage. Finally, we speculate as to the likely developments in pump laser technology, fiber design and fabrication, architectural approaches, and functionality that lie ahead in the coming decade and the implications they have on fiber laser performance and industrial/scientific adoption.

High power fiber lasers: current status and future perspectives [Invited]

The history, fabrication, theory, numerical modeling, optical properties, guidance mechanisms, and applications of photonic-crystal fibers are reviewed

Photonic-Crystal Fibers

A review on the latest developments on graphene, written from the perspective of a chemist, is presented. The role of chemistry in bringing graphene research to the next level is discussed.

The chemistry of graphene

A method is proposed for the nonlinear conversion of a cw pump beam into a periodic train of intense, short pulses in a stimulated-Brillouin-scattering fiber laser. The pulses that are produced acquire the pump energy stored over a period of the resonator and have a length an order of magnitude shorter than the relaxation time of a hypersonic wave.

Nonlinear conversion of a cw beam into a train of intense, short pulses in a fiber laser

Silicon-core optical fibers were fabricated by the “rod-in-tube” method. Optical losses were reduced to the level of 11–12 dB/cm in a wavelength range of 1.5–6.7 µm owing to a postdrawing treatment similar to zone melting.

Enhancement of transmission by optimization of crystal structure of silicon-core optical fiber

At present for the creation of Raman lasers and amplifiers for numerous applications various glass optical fibers and crystals are mainly used. In recent years silicon photonics technology has made rapid progress and Raman silicon lasers and amplifiers have been successfully demonstrated. Recent results on new Raman materials and devices are reviewed.

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/4712538/4729060/04729114.pdf

New materials and devices in Raman amplification

In conclusion the results obtained have shown the possibility of fiber grating fabrication using more commonly used lasers operating in the near-UV region. Besides these results gain insight into the phenomenon of the photo-induced glass refractive-index change.

E. M. Dianov

Papers

Nonlinear conversion of a cw beam into a train of intense, short pulses in a fiber laser

Enhancement of transmission by optimization of crystal structure of silicon-core optical fiber

New materials and devices in Raman amplification

Germanosilicate glass refractive-index change induced by direct excitation of GODC triplet state

Spectral dependence of radiation induced loss of optical fibers in the 0.45-1.75 µm region