Watt-level and spectrally flat mid-infrared supercontinuum in fluoroindate fibers

We report on infrared supercontinuum(SC) generation in step-index fluoroindate-based fiber by using an all-fiber laser source. In comparison to widely used ZBLAN fibers for high-power mid-infrared(MIR) SC generation, fluoroindate fibers have multiphoton absorption edges at significantly longer wavelengths and can sustain similar intensities. Recent developments highlighted in the present study allowed the production of fluoroindate fibers with MIR background loss of 2 dB/km, which is similar to or even better than ZBLAN fibers.By using an all-fiber picosecond laser source based on an erbium amplifier followed by a thulium power amplifier,we demonstrate the generation of 1.0 W infrared SC spanning over 2.25 octaves from 1 μm to 5 μm. The generated MIR SC also exhibits high spectral flatness with a 6 dB spectral bandwidth from 1.91 μm to 4.77 μm and an average power two orders of magnitude greater than in previous demonstrations with a similar spectral distribution.

Nonlinear increase,invisibility,and sign inversion of a localized fs-laser-induced refractive index change in crystals and glasses

Multiphoton absorption via ultrafast laser focusing is the only technology that allows a three-dimensional structural modification of transparent materials.However,the magnitude of the refractive index change is rather limited,preventing the technology from being a tool of choice for the manufacture of compact photonic integrated circuits.We propose to address this issue by employing a femtosecond-laser-induced electronic band-gap shift(FLIBGS),which has an exponential impact on the refractive index change for propagating wavelengths approaching the material electronic resonance,as predicted by the Kramers–Kronig relations.Supported by theoretical calculations,based on a modified Sellmeier equation,the Tauc law,and waveguide bend loss calculations,we experimentally show that several applications could take advantage of this phenomenon.First,we demonstrate waveguide bends down to a submillimeter radius,which is of great interest for higher-density integration of fs-laser-written quantum and photonic circuits.We also demonstrate that the refractive index contrast can be switched from negative to positive,allowing direct waveguide inscription in crystals.Finally,the effect of the FLIBGS can compensate for the fs-laser-induced negative refractive index change,resulting in a zero refractive index change at specific wavelengths,paving the way for new invisibility applications.