Abstract

Focusing ultrashort intense laser pulses into optically transparent media can lead to continuum generation. Due to this process, octave wide spectral broadening and wavelength regions not supported by the available laser systems become accessible. Various media like solids, fluids, gases and fibres were found suitable for continuum generation, the multitude of investigations are comprehensively summarized in [1]. Especially continuum generation in bulk crystals renders smooth, flat and gap free spectra with a high amount of coherence, compressibility, and pulse-to-pulse and long term stability [2].

© 2011 Optical Society of America