Experimental long-term survey of mid-infrared supercontinuum source based on As2S3 suspended-core fibers

The evolution of supercontinuum generation in chalcogenide suspended-core microstructured optical fibers is studied with regard to their exposure to the room atmosphere. We report the experimental proof of aging-induced supercontinuum generation drift in chalcogenide microstructured fibers. Mid-infrared supercontinuum covering the 2.5-5.5-mu m spectral region is demonstrated in a fresh and 7-month-aged counterpart As2S3 fibers, by means of a home-built multistage oscillator power amplifier delivering 300 fs pulses at a repetition rate of 43 MHz in the 3.0-4.1-mu m range. Numerical simulations based on the generalized nonlinear Schrodinger equation confirm the significant alteration of supercontinuum generation due to increasing fundamental OH and SH absorption bands.