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.

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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

Bend loss in step-index, holey and bandgap large-mode-area fibres are compared. Numerical simulations are carried out and experimental validations are presented. It is shown that bandgap fibres exhibit lowest bend loss.

Cross-Comparison of Bend Loss in Large-Mode-Area Fibres

A new, technologically simple structure of hollow-core optical fiber is proposed, which cladding is formed by eight contiguous capillaries, the surface of the hollow core having a negative curvature. This fiber design provides good light localization: the ratio of radiation intensities at the core center and at the surface of the capillary amounts to eight orders of magnitude. We have previously demonstrated that the optical loss in such a fiber can be incomparably lower than in the material from which it is made [1].

Demonstration of waveguide regime for chalcogenide hollow-core optical fiber with negative curvature of core boundary from mid- to far-infrared

Mollenauer et al., have experimentally demonstrated the transmission of optical solitons in a single mode fiber over large distance up to 10000 km [1]. The interaction of solitons is one of the factors limiting the achievable transmission rate, in soliton communication systems. In contrast to short-range (Kerr-like) soliton interaction which decreases strongly with the increasing distance between solitons, a long-range interaction, which occurs when the distance between the pulses is much larger than their duration, can not be easily avoided. Such an interaction .has been experimentally observed by Smith and Mollenauer [2].

Limitation to high-bit-rate transmission in long-distance soliton communication systems due to electrostrictional interaction of optical pulses

Erratum: Electrostrictive response in single-mode ring-index profile fibers (Optics Letters (2000) 25 (390))

We demonstrate a Raman-soliton continuum extending from 2 to 3 μm, in a highly germanium-doped silica-clad fiber, pumped by a nanotube mode-locked thulium-doped fiber system delivering 12 kW sub-picosecond pulses at 1.95 μm.

E. M. Dianov

Papers

Cross-Comparison of Bend Loss in Large-Mode-Area Fibres

Demonstration of waveguide regime for chalcogenide hollow-core optical fiber with negative curvature of core boundary from mid- to far-infrared

Limitation to high-bit-rate transmission in long-distance soliton communication systems due to electrostrictional interaction of optical pulses

Erratum: Electrostrictive response in single-mode ring-index profile fibers (Optics Letters (2000) 25 (390))

2 to 3 μm Raman-soliton continuum enabled by a nanotube mode-locked Tm-doped MOPFA