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Self-similarity in ultrafast nonlinear optics

Nature Physics volume 3, pages 597–603 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Recent developments in nonlinear optics have led to the discovery of a new class of ultrashort pulse, the ‘optical similariton’. Optical similaritons arise when the interaction of nonlinearity, dispersion and gain in a high-power fibre amplifier causes the shape of an arbitrary input pulse to converge asymptotically to a pulse whose shape is self-similar. In comparison with optical solitons, which rely on a delicate balance of nonlinearity and anomalous dispersion and which can become unstable with increasing intensity, similaritons are more robust at high pulse powers. The simplicity and widespread availability of the components needed to build a self-similar amplifier capable of producing optical similaritons provides a convenient experimental platform to explore the fundamental nature of dynamical self-similarity. Here, we provide an overview of self-similar pulse propagation and scaling in optical fibre amplifiers, and their use in the development of high-power ultrafast optical sources, pulse synthesis and all-optical pulse regeneration.

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Figure 1: Graphical representation of generic similariton characteristics.
Figure 2: Phase-space portrait of different evolution trajectories of optical pulses in a self-similar amplifier.
Figure 3: Simulated pulse evolution of propagation in fibre amplifiers comparing self-similar evolution with soliton fission.
Figure 4: Similariton evolution in a 9-m-long erbium fibre amplifier.

© 2005 OSA

Figure 5: Few-cycle pulse generation around 1,550 nm through the combination of nonlinear similariton and soliton dynamics.

© 2006 IEEE

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Acknowledgements

Our contributions to this field have benefited from valuable collaborations and discussions with numerous colleagues and friends. We extend thanks to J. D. Harvey, V. I. Kruglov, R. Leonhardt, B. C. Thomsen, A. C. Peacock, M. E. Fermann, J. H. V. Price, N. G. R. Broderick, P. Petropoulos, L. Larger, C. Billet, B. Kibler, J. C. Knight and N. Joly. J.M.D. extends further thanks to M. Segev for sparking his interest in the wider aspects of optical self-similarity.

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  1. Département d’Optique P. M. Duffieux, Institut FEMTO-ST, UMR 6174 CNRS-Université de Franche-Comté, 25030 Besançon, France

    John M. Dudley

  2. Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK

    Christophe Finot & David J. Richardson

  3. Département Optique, Interaction Matière-Rayonnement, Institut CARNOT de Bourgogne (ICB), UMR 5209 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne, 21078 Dijon, France

    Christophe Finot & Guy Millot

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Dudley, J., Finot, C., Richardson, D. et al. Self-similarity in ultrafast nonlinear optics. Nature Phys 3, 597–603 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphys705

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