Real time noise and wavelength correlations in octave-spanning supercontinuum generation

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the use of dispersive Fourier transformation to analyze spectral noise and correlations in octave-spanning supercontinuum generation, revealing interactions between spectral components and providing insights into spectral instabilities.

Contribution

It introduces dispersive Fourier transformation as a powerful tool for real-time spectral noise analysis in supercontinuum generation, including during highly unstable regimes.

Findings

Wavelength correlation maps reveal spectral interactions not seen in average measurements.

Dispersive Fourier transformation effectively captures shot-to-shot spectral instabilities.

Numerical simulations support experimental observations.

Abstract

We use dispersive Fourier transformation to measure shot-to-shot spectral instabilities in femtosecond supercontinuum generation. We study both the onset phase of supercontinuum generation with distinct dispersive wave generation, as well as a highly-unstable supercontinuum regime spanning an octave in bandwidth. Wavelength correlation maps allow interactions between separated spectral components to be identified, even when such interactions are not apparent in shot-to-shot or average measurements. Experimental results are interpreted using numerical simulations. Our results show the clear advantages of dispersive Fourier transformation for studying spectral noise during supercontinuum generation.