Abstract

Recently much excitement has been generated over the application of microstructure fibers (MFs) in nonlinear optics. The generation of supercontinuum in a meter-long MF using femtosecond pulses has proven that the nonlinear response can be quite dramatic.² One expects to be able to observe in MFs all of the nonlinear effects present in standard optical fibers. The ability to combine a small core area with single-mode behavior over a wide wavelength range and with engineerable dispersion characteristics suggests that one can take greater advantage of the relatively weak χ⁽³⁾ nonlinearity of glass in MFs.

© 2001 Optical Society of America