Abstract

Spectral-broadening and supercontinuum-generating abilities of optical fibers have been recently greatly enhanced through fiber microstructuring¹⁻³ and tapering,⁴ resulting in a major breakthrough in optical metrology⁵ and suggesting new approaches in pulse compression and creation of broadband sources for spectroscopic applications. While most of the nonlinear-optical experiments with holey and tapered fibers, including supercontinuum generation^2,4 and high-precision measurements with femtosecond frequency combs,⁵ have been performed with Ti:sapphire laser pulses, it is of considerable interest to adapt this new fiber-optic technique to femtosecond lasers generating radiation with longer wavelengths. In particular, the use of holey and tapered fibers to spectrally broaden and frequency-convert femtosecond Cr: forsterite lasers pulses is of special interest. These lasers are as compact and convenient as Ti:sapphire systems, covering, at the same time, the wavelength range that is very promising for optical metrology and biomedical applications.

© 2002 Optical Society of America