Group velocity dispersion of tapered fibers immersed in different liquids

We investigate the group velocity dispersion of tapered fibers that are immersed in different liquids. Using the Sellmeier equations fitted from measured refractive indices of these liquids, we are able to analyze the dispersion characteristics of the tapered fibers in a tailored liquid environment. Theoretical results show a large span of slowly varying anomalous group velocity dispersion characteristics. This leads to potentially significant improvements and a large bandwidth in supercontinuum generation in a tapered fiber. This holds true as well for a range of new fiber materials. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.