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Fundamental Amplitude Noise Limitations to Supercontinuum Spectra Generated in a Microstructured Fiber

par Corwin, Kristan L.;Newbury, Nathan R.;Dudley, John M.;Coen, Stéphane ;Diddams, Scott;Washburn, Brian
Référence Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics, 77, 2-3, page (269-277)
Publication Publié, 2003

Article révisé par les pairs

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Résumé :

Broadband supercontinuum spectra are generated in a microstructured fiber using femtosecond laser pulses. Noise properties of these spectra are studied through experiments and numerical simulations based on a generalized stochastic nonlinear 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 function of the input pulse parameters. Short input pulses are critical for the generation of very broad supercontinua with low noise.