All-fiber chalcogenide-based mid-infrared supercontinuum source

An all-fiber based supercontinuum source with emission covering the wavelength range of 1.9-4.8 mu m is demonstrated. The laser source is based on a combination of silica commercial off-the shelf components and a chalcogenide-based nonlinear optical fiber. The system provides 10 dB spectral flatness from 2.0 to 4.6 mu m, and -20 dBm points from 1.9 to 4.8 mu m. The output power is 565mW but scalable by scaling the repetition rate. The limit on the long wavelength edge of the system is identified as an extrinsic absorption feature in the fiber used; confirming the system could be scaled to generated a broadband source even further in the infrared. Published by Elsevier Inc.