Fundamental amplitude noise limitations to supercontinuum spectra generated in a microstructured fiber

Published

September 1, 2003

Author(s)

Kristan L. Corwin, Nathan R. Newbury, J M. Dudley, C Coen, Scott A. Diddams, Brian Washburn, K Weber, R Windeler

Abstract

Broadband supercontinuum spectra are generated in a microstructured fiber using femtosecond laser pulses. Noise properties of these spectra are studied through experiments and properties of these spectra are studied through experiments and numerical simulations based on a generalized stochastic non-linear Schrödinger equation. In particular, the relative intensity noise as a function of wavelength across the supercontinuum is measured over a wide range of input pulse parameters, and experimental results and simulations are shown to be in good quantitative agreement. For certain input pulse parameters, amplitude fluctuations as large as 50% are observed. The simulations clarify that the intensity noise on the supercontinuum arises from the amplification of two noise inputs during propagation ? quantum-limited shot noise on the input pulse, and spontaneous Raman scattering in the fiber. The amplification factor is a sensitive unction of the input pulse parameters. Short input pulses are critical for the generation of very broad supercontinua with low noise.Broadband supercontinuum spectra are generated in a microstructured fiber using femtosecond laser pulses. Noise properties of these spectra are studied through experiments and properties of these spectra are studied through experiments and numerical simulations based on a generalized stochastic non-linear Schrodinger equation. In particular, the relative intensity noise as a function of wavelength across the supercontinuum is measured over a wide range of input pulse parameters, and experimental results and simulations are shown to be in good quantitative agreement. For certain input pulse parameters, amplitude fluctuations as large as 50% are observed. The simulations clarify that the intensity noise on the supercontinuum arises from the amplification of two noise inputs during propagation ? quantum-limited shot noise on the input pulse, and spontaneous Raman scattering in the fiber. The amplification factor is a sensitive unction of the input pulse parameters. Short input pulses are critical for the generation of very broad supercontinua with low noise.

Citation

Applied Physics B-Photophysics and Laser Chemistry

Volume

77

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

fiber optics, nonlinear optics, Quantum noise, Supercontinuum generation

Citation

Corwin, K. , Newbury, N. , Dudley, J. , Coen, C. , Diddams, S. , Washburn, B. , Weber, K. and Windeler, R. (2003), Fundamental amplitude noise limitations to supercontinuum spectra generated in a microstructured fiber, Applied Physics B-Photophysics and Laser Chemistry, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=31264 (Accessed October 11, 2025)