Broad-band dispersion measurement of ZBLAN, germanate and silica fibers in mid-IR

Abstract

Abstract-We report the first ultra-broad band dispersion measurements in short-length ZBLAN, germanate and silicabased optical fibers in the near-and mid-IR wavelength ranges between 1.7 and 2.0 µm and from 2.3 to 2.45 µm, using two ultrabroadband light sources: a broadband superluminescent Tmdoped fiber source and a novel femtosecond pulsed mode-locked Cr:ZnS oscillator. The measured second order dispersion characteristics of the fibers correspond to the theoretical predictions (numerical calculations).

Soliton delivery of mid-IR femtosecond pulses with ZBLAN fiber

“…We attribute this to the action of the Raman self-frequency shift [13], which was not included in our model. An independent confirmation of the modelling relevance comes from the direct dispersion measurements, recently performed by our group [17]. The results of the dispersion parameter measurements, as well as the modelling for two core diameter values, are shown in the Fig.…”

“…In order to recover the fiber parameters and extrapolate the results to higher energies and longer fibers we performed modeling of the pulse propagation. The propagation model was based on the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation solved on the basis of symmetrized split-step Fourier method with 1 fs temporal step (2 17 points in a mesh) and a propagation step of 10 −3 part of a nonlinear length L NL depending on the pulse energy. As fitting parameters we used the fiber self-phase modulation (SPM) parameter γ = 2πn 2 /λA eff and the dispersion parameter D. The simulation results are shown along the experimental data in Fig.…”

Broadband Characterization of ZBLAN Fiber for Short-Wave Infrared Applications Using All-Fiber Interferometer

“…The linear interferometric technique represents the most suitable tool for broadband characterization of short and medium length fibers (up to few tens of meters) [5]. Group velocity dispersion measurement (GVD) of short pieces (up to 2.1m) of various ZBLAN fibers using free-space interferometers was reported [2,6,7]. Supercontinua in 0.8-1.3 µm [2], and 0.9-1.6 µm bands [6], and combined superluminescent source in 1.7-2.0 µm with mode-locked laser in 2.2-2.4 µm bands [7], were exploited as broadband input.…”

“…Group velocity dispersion measurement (GVD) of short pieces (up to 2.1m) of various ZBLAN fibers using free-space interferometers was reported [2,6,7]. Supercontinua in 0.8-1.3 µm [2], and 0.9-1.6 µm bands [6], and combined superluminescent source in 1.7-2.0 µm with mode-locked laser in 2.2-2.4 µm bands [7], were exploited as broadband input. Although the latter tests covered wavelengths around 2 µm [7], the power spectral density in this range was low, thus resulting in a degraded signal-to-noise ratio and a reduced accuracy of measurements.…”

“…Supercontinua in 0.8-1.3 µm [2], and 0.9-1.6 µm bands [6], and combined superluminescent source in 1.7-2.0 µm with mode-locked laser in 2.2-2.4 µm bands [7], were exploited as broadband input. Although the latter tests covered wavelengths around 2 µm [7], the power spectral density in this range was low, thus resulting in a degraded signal-to-noise ratio and a reduced accuracy of measurements. Moreover, free-space optics setups require a careful alignment, and are therefore much less robust comparing to fiber-based ones.…”