Open AccessSingle mode criterion - a benchmark figure to optimize the performance of nonlinear fibers
Author(s) -
Mario Chemnitz,
Markus A. Schmidt
Publication year - 2016
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.24.016191
Subject(s) - nonlinear system , optics , benchmark (surveying) , refractive index , single mode optical fiber , optical fiber , wavelength , chalcogenide , nonlinear optics , materials science , computer science , physics , optoelectronics , laser , geodesy , quantum mechanics , geography
Optical fibers with sub-wavelength cores are promising systems for efficient nonlinear light generation. Here we reveal that the single-mode criterion represents a convenient design tool to optimize the performance of nonlinear fibers circumventing intense numerical calculations. We introduce a quasi-analytic expression for the nonlinear coefficient allowing us to investigate its behavior over a large parameter range. The study is independent of the actual value of the material nonlinearity and shows the fundamental dependencies of the nonlinear coefficient on wavelength, refractive index and core diameter, elucidated by detailed case studies of fused silica and chalcogenide tapers and hybrid fibers.