Quasi-phase-matched supercontinuum-generation in photonic waveguides

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how quasi-phase-matching via periodic waveguide modulations can control and enhance supercontinuum generation in integrated photonic waveguides, enabling tailored broadband light sources.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of quasi-phase-matching in photonic waveguides to precisely control supercontinuum spectra, including experimental validation and higher-order techniques.

Findings

Enhanced supercontinuum intensity by up to 20 dB in targeted spectral regions.

Successful experimental demonstration of quasi-phase-matching in TE modes.

Use of higher-order quasi-phase-matching to broaden spectral control.

Abstract

Supercontinuum generation in integrated photonic waveguides is a versatile source of broadband light, and the generated spectrum is largely determined by the phase-matching conditions. Here we show that quasi-phase-matching via periodic modulations of the waveguide structure provides a useful mechanism to control the evolution of ultrafast pulses and the supercontinuum spectrum. We experimentally demonstrate quasi-phase-matched supercontinuum to the TE20 and TE00 waveguide modes, which enhances the intensity of the SCG in specific spectral regions by as much as 20 dB. We utilize higher-order quasi-phase-matching (up to the 16th order) to enhance the intensity in numerous locations across the spectrum. Quasi-phase-matching adds a unique dimension to the design-space for SCG waveguides, allowing the spectrum to be engineered for specific applications.