Broad spectrum optical supercontinuum source

摘要

An optical supercontinuum radiation source for generating a broad optical supercontinuum from pump radiation having a wavelength in the range 900 nm to 1200 nm includes a microstructured optical fibre and a pump laser adapted to generate pump radiation for pumping the microstructured optical fibre. The fibre can have aΔ(“delta”) value of greater than 0.3, the core region of the fibre can support a plurality of modes at the pump wavelength, and the cladding region can comprise at least two air holes extending along the length of fibre wherein the ratio of the diameter (d) of the air holes to their pitch (Λ) is greater than 0.6. The fibre can comprise a zero dispersion wavelength (ZDW) within ±200 nm of said pump wavelength.