Highly Nonlinear Composite-Photonic Crystal Fibers with Simplified Manufacturing Process and Efficient Mid-IR Applications

This paper reveals special design features of the proposed highly nonlinear circular-lattice-silicon-core and silica-doped-with-fluorine (1%) cladding-composite photonic crystal fiber (PCF) in the Mid-infrared region of the spectrum. A region of small negative group velocity dispersion (GVD), managed higher order dispersions (HODs), and unique nonlinearity of silicon have been used to demonstrate a supercontinuum broadening from 1500 nm to 4700 nm with consumption of low input power of 400 W over short fiber distances. It will be also shown that the fiber's high-level engineered structure finally results in a simple manufacturing process compared with other designed nano-sized silicon PCFs. The designed fiber could have massive potential in gas sensing, soliton effect pulse compression, spectroscopy, material processing, etc.

Automated summary

This paper reveals the special design features of a highly nonlinear circular-lattice-silicon-core and silica-doped-with-fluorine (1%) cladding-composite photonic crystal fiber (PCF) that operates in the mid-infrared region. By utilizing small negative group velocity dispersion, managed higher order dispersions, and the unique nonlinearity of silicon, a supercontinuum broadening from 1500 nm to 4700 nm is achieved with low input power of 400 W over short fiber distances. The engineered structure of the fiber simplifies the manufacturing process compared to other nano-sized silicon PCFs. This designed fiber has great potential in applications such as gas sensing, soliton effect pulse compression, spectroscopy, and material processing.