Spectral broadening using a polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber by an optical parametric amplifier

Supercontinuum was generated in a polarization-maintaining (PM) PCF. The main advantage with the PM-PCF is the preservation of the state of polarization of the field propagating. For several applications, it is essential that the output has a well-defined polarization. In addition, the preserved polarization enhances the nonlinear interactions so that less power is required to generate the SC. The field patterns, birefringence and nonlinearity in the PM-PCF were simulated using a full-vector finite element method. Spectral broadening was achieved pumped by the optical parameter amplifier system (OPA). It was concluded that the SC generation was depended on the pump wavelength, and the difference group velocities in the two sides of the zero dispersive wavelength of the PCF and the OH absorption at about 1.4 mu m in the PCF affected the flatness of the generated supercontinuum. When the pump wavelength lied further away from the zero dispersive wavelength, the flatness was reduced, even in the visible region the blue-shift peaks were separated and didn't come into being supercontinuum. Supercontinuum with a broad bandwidth of 300 nm to 1350 nm was generated when the pump wavelength of 1200 nm, and the generated spectral bandwidth was beyond two octaves.