Effect of cross-phase modulation on supercontinuum generated in microstructured fibers with sub-30 fs pulses

We investigate the effects of cross-phase modulation between the solitons and dispersive waves present in a supercontinuum generated in microstructured fibers by sub-30 fs pulses. Cross-phase modulation is shown to have a crucial importance as it extends the supercontinuum towards shorter wavelengths. The experimental observations are confirmed through numerical simulations. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.