A Review of Mid-Infrared Supercontinuum Generation in Chalcogenide Glass Fibers

Mid-Infrared Mapping of Four-Layer Graphene Polytypes Using Near-Field Microscopy

The mid-infrared (MIR) spectral region attracts attention for accurate chemical analysis using photonic devices. Few-layer graphene (FLG) polytypes are promising platforms, due to their broad absorption in this range and gate-tunable optical properties. Among these polytypes, the noncentrosymmetric ABCB/ACAB structure is particularly interesting, due to its intrinsic bandgap (8.8 meV) and internal polarization. In this study, we utilize scattering-scanning near-field microscopy to measure the optical response of all three tetralayer graphene polytypes in the 8.5-11.5 μm range. We employ a finite dipole model to compare these results to the calculated optical conductivity for each polytype obtained from a tight-binding model. Our findings reveal a significant discrepancy in the MIR optical conductivity response of graphene between the different polytypes than what the tight-binding model suggests. This observation implies an increased potential for utilizing the distinct tetralayer polytypes in photonic devices operating within the MIR range for chemical sensing and infrared imaging.

Multi-octave mid-infrared supercontinuum generation in tapered chalcogenide-glass rods

We report on the experimental development of short-tapered chalcogenide-glass rods for mid-infrared supercontinuum generation. Multi-octave spectral broadening of femtosecond laser pulses is demonstrated from 1.6 to 15.6 µm in a 5-cm-long tapered Ge20Se70Te10 rod with a waist diameter of 25 µm. Despite the multimode nature of the optical waveguide used, this work clearly shows the potential of such simple post-processed rods for advancing fiber SC sources with infrared glasses, thereby unlocking new possibilities in terms of coupling efficiency, spectral coverage, and output power.

Near-infrared spectroscopy of low-transmittance samples by a high-power time-stretch spectrometer using an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG)

Although time-stretch spectroscopy is an emerging ultrafast spectroscopic technique, the applications in industrial fields have been limited due to the low output power caused by undesirable nonlinear effects occurred in a long optical fiber used for pulse chirping. Here, we developed a high-power time-stretch near infrared (NIR) spectrometer utilizing arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs). The combination of AWGs and short optical fibers allowed large amounts of chromatic dispersion to be applied to broadband supercontinuum pulses without the power limitation imposed by employing the long optical fiber. With the proposed configuration, we achieved chirped pulses with the output power of 60 mW in the 900-1300 nm wavelength region, which is about 10 times higher than conventional time-stretch spectrometers using long optical fibers. With the developed spectrometer, the NIR absorption spectra of a standard material and liquid samples were observed with high accuracy and precision within sub-millisecond measurement time even with four orders of magnitude optical attenuation by a neutral density filter. We also confirmed the quantitative spectral analysis capability of the developed spectrometer for highly scattering samples of an oil emulsion. The qualitative comparison of the measurement precision between the developed spectrometer and the previous time-stretch spectrometer was also conducted.

Chalcogenide Glass Microfibers for Mid-Infrared Optics

With diameters close to the wavelength of the guided light, optical microfibers (MFs) can guide light with tight optical confinement, strong evanescent fields and manageable waveguide dispersion and have been widely investigated in the past decades for a variety of applications. Compared to silica MFs, which are ideal for working in visible and near-infrared regions, chalcogenide glass (ChG) MFs are promising for mid-infrared (mid-IR) optics, owing to their easy fabrication, broad-band transparency and high nonlinearity, and have been attracting increasing attention in applications ranging from near-field coupling and molecular sensing to nonlinear optics. Here, we review this emerging field, mainly based on its progress in the last decade. Starting from the high-temperature taper drawing technique for MF fabrication, we introduce basic mid-IR waveguiding properties of typical ChG MFs made of As2S3 and As2Se3. Then, we focus on ChG-MF-based passive optical devices, including optical couplers, resonators and gratings and active and nonlinear applications of ChG MFs for mid-IR Raman lasers, frequency combs and supercontinuum (SC) generation. MF-based spectroscopy and chemical/biological sensors are also introduced. Finally, we conclude the review with a brief summary and an outlook on future challenges and opportunities of ChG MFs.

Correlative infrared optical coherence tomography and hyperspectral chemical imaging

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution three-dimensional imaging technique that enables nondestructive measurements of surface and subsurface microstructures. Recent developments of OCT operating in the mid-infrared (MIR) range (around 4 µm) lifted fundamental scattering limitations and initiated applied material research in formerly inaccessible fields. The MIR spectral region, however, is also of great interest for spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging, which allow highly selective and sensitive chemical studies of materials. In this contribution, we introduce an OCT system (dual-band, central wavelengths of 2 µm and 4 µm) combined with MIR spectroscopy that is implemented as a raster scanning chemical imaging modality. The fully integrated and cost-effective optical instrument is based on a single supercontinuum laser source (emission spectrum spanning from 1.1 µm to 4.4 µm). Capabilities of the in situ correlative measurements are experimentally demonstrated by obtaining complex multidimensional material data, comprising morphological and chemical information, from a multilayered composite ceramic-polymer specimen.

Microstructured Fibers Based on Tellurite Glass for Nonlinear Conversion of Mid-IR Ultrashort Optical Pulses

Compact fiber-based sources generating optical pulses with a broadband spectrum in the mid-IR range are in demand for basic science and many applications. Laser systems producing tunable Raman solitons in special soft-glass fibers are of great interest. Here, we report experimental microstructured tellurite fibers and demonstrate by numerical simulation their applicability for nonlinear soliton conversion in the mid-infrared (-IR) range via soliton self-frequency shift. The fiber dispersion and nonlinearity are calculated for experimental geometry. It is shown numerically that there are two zero dispersion wavelengths for the core size of 2 μm and less. In such fibers, efficient Raman soliton tuning is attained up to a central wavelength of 4.8 μm using pump pulses at 2.8 μm.

Femtosecond supercontinuum generation around 1560 nm in hollow-core photonic crystal fibers filled with carbon tetrachloride

We investigated experimentally supercontinuum generation in hollow-core photonic crystal fibers with cores infiltrated with carbon tetrachloride. As a pump source, we used a standard fiber-based femtosecond laser with a central wavelength at 1560 nm and a pulse duration of 90 fs. The first investigated fiber has a zero-dispersion wavelength at 1740 nm and generates a supercontinuum in the wavelength range from 1350 to 1900 nm. The second fiber has a zero-dispersion wavelength at 1440 nm, and the observed supercontinuum spectrum ranges from 1000 to 1900 nm. We numerically analyzed coherence of simulated supercontinuum pulses and noted that the observed supercontinuum spectra had a potential for high coherence. While the dynamics of supercontinuum generation in each of the investigated cases was revealed to be in agreement with the established state of the art in nonlinear fiber optics, our results are the first demonstration of such dynamics, to the best of our knowledge, leading up to octave spanning supercontinuum spectra in liquid-filled hollow-core silica fibers under pumping with a small-footprint femtosecond laser.

Sensitivity-Enhanced Fourier Transform Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy Using a Supercontinuum Laser Source

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometers have been the dominant technology in the field of mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy for decades. Supercontinuum laser sources operating in the mid-IR spectral region now offer the potential to enrich the field of FT-IR spectroscopy due to their distinctive properties, such as high-brightness, broadband spectral coverage and enhanced stability. In our contribution, we introduce this advanced light source as a replacement for conventional thermal emitters. Furthermore, an approach to efficient coupling of pulsed mid-IR supercontinuum sources to FT-IR spectrometers is proposed and considered in detail. The experimental part is devoted to pulse-to-pulse energy fluctuations of the applied supercontinuum laser, performance of the system, as well as the noise and long-term stability. Comparative measurements performed with a conventional FT-IR instrument equipped with a thermal emitter illustrate that similar noise levels can be achieved with the supercontinuum-based system. The analytical performance of the supercontinuum-based FT-IR spectrometer was tested for a concentration series of aqueous formaldehyde solutions in a liquid flow cell (500 µm path length) and compared with the conventional FT-IR (130 µm path length). The results show a four-times-enhanced detection limit due to the extended path length enabled by the high brightness of the laser. In conclusion, FT-IR spectrometers equipped with novel broadband mid-IR supercontinuum lasers could outperform traditional systems providing superior performance, e.g., interaction path lengths formerly unattainable, while maintaining low noise levels known from highly stable thermal emitters.

Dual-band infrared optical coherence tomography using a single supercontinuum source

Recent developments and commercial availability of low-noise and bright infrared (IR) supercontinuum sources initiated intensive applied research in the last few years. Covering a significant part of near- and mid-infrared spectral ranges, supercontinuum radiation opened up unique possibilities and alternatives for the well-established imaging technique of optical coherence tomography (OCT). In this contribution, we demonstrate the development, performance, and maturity of a cost-efficient dual-band Fourier-domain IR OCT system (2 µm and 4 µm central wavelengths). The proposed OCT setup is elegantly employing a single supercontinuum source and a pyroelectric linear array. We discuss adapted application-oriented approaches to signal acquisition and post-processing when thermal detectors are applied in interferometers. In the experimental part, the efficiency of the dual-band detection is evaluated. Practical results and direct comparisons of the OCT system operating within the employed sub-bands are exhibited and discussed. Furthermore, we introduce the 2 µm OCT sub-system as an affordable alternative for art diagnosis; therefore, high resolution and sensitive measurements of the painting mock-ups are presented. Finally, potentials of the dual-band detection are demonstrated for lithography-based manufactured industrial ceramics.

Chalcogenide Taper and Its Nonlinear Effects and Sensing Applications

The nonlinear coefficient of chalcogenide glass is 200-1000 times larger than that of silica glass, and it is transparent in the 1-15 μm wavelength windows, which makes the nonlinear effects happen at much low power with a short length in near- and mid-infrared wavelength window. With tapered chalcogenide fibers, the power density in the core and the waveguide nonlinearity can be enhanced to make nonlinear signal processing unit at a compact size. The threshold of Raman scattering and supercontinuum generation is reduced due to the enhanced Kerr effect and enhanced optical power intensity. Phase-matching condition required in four-wave mixing (FWM) can be realized by tailoring fiber structures to engineer the chromatic dispersion, which enables new wavelengths creation over a large range at mW power and sub-meter length. The guided acoustic waves and longitudinal acoustic waves can be generated and detected in mW power with chalcogenide tapers. The high power density in the microwires and the high photosensitivity of chalcogenide glass in the 1550 nm band enable the inscription of FBGs in the fiber directly. The chalcogenide microwires are fragile and the core diameter cannot be tapered down to sub-microns, which can be mitigated by polymer coating that can provide mechanical strength. Polymers not only provide high mechanical strength as the coating and cladding materials but also bring over 10 times larger thermal expansion than chalcogenide cores, which enhances the sensor prospect of the chalcogenide fibers for temperature, strain, and acoustic sensing. This work reviews the present and emerging trends in investigation of chalcogenide tapers, mainly focusing on the fabrication procedure of chalcogenide microwires, the nonlinear effects, and sensing applications.

Ultrabroadband and coherent mid-infrared supercontinuum generation in Te-based chalcogenide tapered fiber with all-normal dispersion

We demonstrated an ultrabroadband supercontinuum (SC) generation with high coherence property in all-normal-dispersion (ANDi) Te-based chalcogenide tapered fiber. The fibers made of Ge₂₀As₂₀Se₁₅Te₄₅ core and Ge₂₀As₂₀Se₂₀Te₄₀ cladding glasses were fabricated via isolated stacked extrusion. The waist diameter and length can be accurately controlled by a homemade tapering platform. When the core diameter of the waist was ≤14 μm, the fiber showed an ANDi characteristic in the wavelength range of 1.7-14 μm. A coherent SC generation covered 1.7-12.7 μm was generated in a 7-cm-long tapered fiber, pumped at 5.5 μm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first SC experimental demonstration in Te-based step-index tapered fiber and the broadest SC generation in chalcogenide tapered fiber when pumped in the normal dispersion regime so far.

All-optical switching in long-period fiber grating with highly nonlinear chalcogenide fibers

All-optical switching in long-period fiber grating (LPFG) with Ge-As-Se chalcogenide fibers was proposed. The switching performances at different resonant wavelengths and cladding modes were systematically investigated using coupled-mode theory. By utilizing the ultra-high nonlinearity of chalcogenide glass, the switching power threshold of the proposed LPFG switching at 1.55 μm was 105  MW/cm² with power coupling for the low-order LP₀₉ cladding mode, which was approximately 200 times lower than that of silica LPFG. Furthermore, the temperature stability of the proposed LPFG switching was examined. The optical switching instability due to the laser thermal effect can be well suppressed by optimizing the cladding radius and grating period. Considering the balance between temperature sensitivity and switching power threshold, an all-optical switch with temperature sensitivity of 51 pm/°C was finally realized by selecting the LP₀₅₁ mode with a cladding radius of 39 μm.