High average power supercontinuum sources

In this presentation the authors will describe the evolution of the all fibre integrated supercontinuum source using both pulsed and CW pump schemes in conventional and in photonic crystal fibres, comparing and contrasting the evolution mechanisms, highlighting the similarities and differences in the generation processes. The role of self frequency shifting soliton-dispersive wave trapping is vital to short wavelength enhancement in both regimes and the enhancement of this process through the use of tapered fibre structures will also be described. Through enhanced fibre design the power requirements for short wavelength enhancement can be reduced, however, if high spectral power density is a requirement as well as extensive spectral coverage then high power pumps approaching industrial scales are still a necessity.