Controllable Spatiotemporal Nonlinear Effects In Multimode Fibres

Abstract

Multimode fibres are of interest for next-generation telecommunications systems and the construction of high-energy fibre lasers. However, relatively little work has explored nonlinear pulse propagation in multimode fibres. Here, we consider highly nonlinear ultrashort pulse propagation in the anomalous-dispersion regime of a graded-index multimode fibre. Low modal dispersion and strong nonlinear coupling between the fibre's many spatial modes result in interesting behaviour. We observe spatiotemporal effects reminiscent of nonlinear optics in bulk media - self-focusing and multiple filamentation - at a fraction of the usual power. By adjusting the spatial initial conditions, we generate on-demand, megawatt, ultrashort pulses tunable between 1,550 and 2,200â €...nm; dispersive waves over one octave; intense combs of visible light; and a multi-octave-spanning supercontinuum. Our results indicate that multimode fibres present unique opportunities for observing new spatiotemporal dynamics and phenomena. They also enable the realization of a new type of tunable, broadband fibre source that could be useful for many applications.

Publication Date

5-30-2015

Publication Title

Nature Photonics

Volume

9

Issue

5

Number of Pages

306-310

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2015.61

Socpus ID

84929087179 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84929087179

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