Modulation instability, Akhmediev Breathers and continuous wave supercontinuum generation

TL;DR

This paper investigates the initial phase of continuous wave supercontinuum generation, demonstrating that modulation instability dynamics can be described by Akhmediev Breathers, supported by simulations, analytical models, and experimental data.

Contribution

It provides a novel interpretation of supercontinuum onset via Akhmediev Breathers, combining numerical, analytical, and experimental approaches.

Findings

Field structures align with Akhmediev Breather properties

Spectral broadening matches theoretical predictions

Experimental results confirm simulation insights

Abstract

Numerical simulations of the onset phase of continuous wave supercontinuum generation from modulation instability show that the structure of the field as it develops can be interpreted in terms of the properties of Akhmediev Breathers. Numerical and analytical results are compared with experimental measurements of spectral broadening in photonic crystal fiber using nanosecond pulses