Spatio-spectral analysis of supercontinuum generation in higher order electromagnetic modes of photonic crystal fiber

The far-field spatial distributions of higher order electromagnetic mode supercontinua were resolved spectrally and recorded. The supercontinua were created by precise control and direction of input pump energy offset axially from the photonic crystal fiber core. By processing the measured spectra, the spatial mode shape at each wavelength was determined. Discrete spectral features are associated with symmetrical spatial patterns arising from the host fiber geometry and suggest the electromagnetic mode pairing between the longer wavelength solitons and associated visible dispersive waves. Clear differences between supercontinua generated in fundamental and higher order electromagnetic modes exist. These data should inform theoretical studies as the solitons and the dispersive wave generated by fission may be matched by spatial orientation of the electromagnetic mode that both occupy. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America