Super continuum generation at 800 nm in highly nonlinear photonic crystal fibers with normal dispersion

More than 90 nm broad self-phase modulation (SPM) induced pulses have been created from both 25 and 50 fs pulses in just 12.5 cm of fiber. The broadening is more than 2.5 times that observed in standard SMF. SPM broadening in PCFs has several advantages over more complex super continuum generation (SCG) effects in fibers with zero or positive dispersion at the pumping wavelength. The output is very stable, there is no loss of power to unwanted wavelengths and the spectral shape is relatively insensitive to fluctuations in pumping power. This also makes the output suitable for subsequent compression, for 10 fs-range pulse generation. By shifting the zero-dispersion and pumping wavelength to the telecom range, WDM sources become a potential application.