Supercontinuum Generation Using Microstructured Optical Fibers

The supercontinuum generation results generally from the synergy between several fundamental nonlinear processes, such as selfphase modulation, cross-phase modulation, stimulated Raman scattering, and four-wave mixing. The relative importance of these processes depends on the spectral location and power of the pump, as well as the nonlinear and dispersive characteristics of the medium. Several types of microstructured optical fibers with optimized designs, have been developed during the recent years in order to enhance the supercontinuum generation. This paper provides an overview of the peculiar dispersive and nonlinear properties exhibited by these fibers, including the supercontinuum generation by femtosecond pumping.