Ionization-induced asymmetric self-phase modulation and universal modulational instability in gas-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fibers

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates ionization effects in gas-filled hollow-core fibers, revealing new asymmetric self-phase modulation, universal modulational instability, and plasma-induced blueshifting solitons, advancing supercontinuum generation.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of ionization-induced asymmetric self-phase modulation and universal modulational instability in gas-filled fibers, expanding understanding of nonlinear pulse dynamics.

Findings

Discovery of asymmetric self-phase modulation due to photoionization

Identification of universal modulational instability in both dispersion regimes

Potential for generating a plasma-induced continuum of blueshifting solitons

Abstract

We study theoretically the propagation of relatively long pulses with ionizing intensities in a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber filled with a Raman-inactive gas. Due to photoionization, previously unknown types of asymmetric self-phase modulation and `universal' modulational instabilities existing in both normal and anomalous dispersion regions appear. We also show that it is possible to spontaneously generate a plasma-induced continuum of blueshifting solitons, opening up new possibilities for pushing supercontinuum generation towards shorter and shorter wavelengths.