Abstract
Continuum generation from normally dispersive ultrahigh-numerical-aperture fibers deteriorates in relatively short times, limiting its application as a practical optical source for high-resolution optical coherence tomography. We find that reversible light-induced structural modification of fiber optic materials, rather than permanent optical damage, is responsible for this deterioration. By examining how the optical properties of corresponding light-induced waveguides depend on pumping wavelength, we isolate a waveguide that is beneficial for stable continuum generation. The performance deterioration due to the formation of other waveguides can be reversed by overwriting them with this particular waveguide.
© 2007 Optical Society of America
Full Article | PDF ArticleOSA Recommended Articles
Haohua Tu, Yee Lin Koh, Daniel L. Marks, and Stephen A. Boppart
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 25(2) 274-278 (2008)
Mingjie Zhang, Lei Li, Tongtong Li, Fang Wang, Kangzhen Tian, Haizheng Tao, Xian Feng, Anping Yang, and Zhiyong Yang
Opt. Express 27(20) 29287-29296 (2019)
E. Räikkönen, G. Genty, O. Kimmelma, M. Kaivola, K. P. Hansen, and S. C. Buchter
Opt. Express 14(17) 7914-7923 (2006)