Multi-octave supercontinuum from mid-IR filamentation in bulk

TL;DR

This paper reports a novel supercontinuum source generated through mid-infrared filamentation in bulk, covering over three octaves from UV to mid-IR with high stability and spectral energy density, suitable for diverse applications.

Contribution

It introduces the first bulk supercontinuum spanning UV to mid-IR, demonstrating high spectral energy density, shot-to-shot stability, and CEP stability using femtosecond MIR pulse filamentation.

Findings

Spectral coverage exceeds three octaves from UV to MIR.

High spectral energy density up to 10 nJ/nm.

Reproducible and CEP-stable supercontinuum generation.

Abstract

In supercontinuum generation, various propa- gation effects combine to produce a dramatic spec- tral broadening of intense ultrashort optical pulses with far reaching possibilities. Different applications place highly divergent and challenging demands on source characteristics such as spectral coverage from the ultraviolet (UV) across the visible (VIS) to the near-infrared (NIR), and into the mid-infrared (MIR). Shot-to-shot repeatability, high spectral energy density, an absence of complicated or non-deterministic pulse splitting are also essential for many applications. Here we present an "all in one" solution with the first supercontinuum in bulk covering the broad- est bandwidth from just above UV far into the MIR. The spectrum spans more than three octaves, carries high spectral energy density (3pJ up to 10 nJ per nanometer), has high shot-to-shot reproducibility, and is carrier-to-envelope phase (CEP) stable. Our method, based on filamentation of a femtosecond MIR pulse in the anoma- lous dispersion regime, allows for a new class of simple and compact supercontinuum sources.