Spectral broadening for pulse compression using liquid alcohols

Authors

Jacob A. Stephen, University of WindsorFollow
Chathurangani J. Arachchige, University of Windsor
TJ Hammond, University of WindsorFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

0000-0001-6924-6883

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2022

Publication Title

Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics

Volume

55

First Page

155402

Keywords

Self-phase modulation, spectral broadening, decanol

Abstract

Although gases, and more recently solids, have been used to create few-cycle pulses, we explore using liquid alcohols for spectral broadening and femtosecond pulse compression. By using a series of 1 cm cuvettes filled with 1-decanol, we have compressed a pulse from 83.6 fs down to 31.3 fs with a spectrum capable of supporting 25 fs pulses without filamentation.We measure the nonlinear index of refraction for various liquids, measuring n2 = (6.8 ± 0.5) × 10−20 m2 W−1 for 1-decanol.We demonstrate liquids to be a compact, simple, versatile, and cost-effective material to obtain broad spectra.

Funding Reference Number

NSERC RGPIN-2019-06877

Recommended Citation

Stephen, Jacob A.; Arachchige, Chathurangani J.; and Hammond, TJ. (2022). Spectral broadening for pulse compression using liquid alcohols. Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics, 55, 155402.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/physicspub/199