Open AccessAdaptive broadband continuum source at 1200–1400 nm based on an all-fiber dual-wavelength master-oscillator power amplifier and a high-birefringence fiber
Author(s) -
Luis Alonso Vazquez-Zuniga,
Hong Sig Kim,
Young Ho Kwon,
Yoonchan Jeong
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.21.007712
Subject(s) - optics , dispersion shifted fiber , zero dispersion wavelength , polarization maintaining optical fiber , photonic crystal fiber , raman scattering , amplified spontaneous emission , broadband , multi mode optical fiber , physics , wavelength , polarization mode dispersion , materials science , doppler broadening , optoelectronics , optical fiber , fiber optic sensor , raman spectroscopy , spectral line , laser , astronomy
We experimentally analyze the stimulated Raman scattering characteristics of a high-birefringence fiber (HBF), which presents an extraordinary level of spectral broadening incurred by the strong nonlinear interaction between the pump and Stokes pulses via the polarization-mode dispersion and group-velocity dispersion of the fiber. We also investigate the impact of the inter-pulse time-delay on the additional spectra broadening when dual-wavelength pump pulses are used. Exploiting these unique SRS properties of the HBF, we develop a novel Raman continuum source based on an all-fiber dual-wavelength master-oscillator power amplifier that can generate a dip-free spectrum in the 1200-1400-nm spectral range. We finally obtain a broadband continuum having an average power of ~840 mW and a 3-dB bandwidth of ~240 nm centered at 1200-1400 nm, which also represents a good spectral flatness and conversion efficiency. This type of source is very useful and important for optical coherence tomography applications, for example.