Abstract

Contrary to traditional views considering loss a limiting factor for nonlinear photonics applications, a judicious loss management is currently playing a crucial role in different research areas in nonlinear optics ranging from plasmonics and $P\mathcal{T}$-symmetric systems to pulse propagation in waveguides with 2D materials [1] or dispersive nonlinearities [2]. As this physics relies on interplays between nonlinear, dispersive (or diffractive) and loss (or gain) effects, an accurate measurement of the nonlinear coefficient γcannot disregard either chromatic dispersion β₂or linear loss α, whereas state-of-the-art techniques require dispersionless [3] or lossless waveguides [4]. Moreover, such a measurement would aid theoretical ongoing research in discriminating competing nonlinear models founded on different assumptions [5]. Here we demonstrate a procedure for measuring β₂/γ, and hence γif β₂is available, under conditions where dispersion and loss are comparable to nonlinear effects.

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