Abstract

Strong mid-infrared light–matter interactions have attracted extensive attention as they open up new frontiers in nonlinear optics. Here we observe through simulations a novel, to the best of our knowledge, aspect of mid-infrared pulse dynamics in a high-pressure gas-filled capillary, where a pulse with a power well below the critical power for Kerr self-focusing undergoes an astonishing increase of the peak intensity following an extremely efficient spectral broadening. This intensity enhancement is attributed to the Kerr-induced focusing of the supercontinuum. Our study provides an interesting perspective for controlling the laser intensity with possible applications in nonlinear light conversion driven by mid-infrared pulses.

© 2022 Optica Publishing Group

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