Nonlinear optics in Xe-filled hollow-core PCF in high pressure and supercritical regimes

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates nonlinear optical phenomena in supercritical xenon-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fibers, highlighting enhanced nonlinearity, high damage threshold, and broad transparency, enabling UV light generation without material damage.

Contribution

It reports the first observation of nonlinear effects like self-phase modulation and UV light generation in supercritical Xe-filled fibers, expanding the understanding of high-pressure nonlinear optics.

Findings

Supercritical Xe exhibits Kerr nonlinearity exceeding fused silica.

UV light generated via intermodal four-wave mixing.

Spectral broadening achieved without soliton effects or damage.

Abstract

Supercritical Xe at 293 K offers a Kerr nonlinearity that can exceed that of fused silica while being free of Raman scattering. It also has a much higher optical damage threshold and a transparency window that extends from the UV to the infrared. We report the observation of nonlinear phenomena, such as self-phase modulation, in hollow-core photonic crystal fiber filled with supercritical Xe. In the subcritical regime, intermodal four-wave-mixing resulted in the generation of UV light in the HE12 mode. The normal dispersion of the fiber at high pressures means that spectral broadening can clearly obtained without influence from soliton effects or material damage.