Tunable Four-Wave Mixing Light Source Based on Photonic Crystal Fibers with Variable Chromatic Dispersion

Abstract

We present a detailed experimental study of four-wave mixing tuning in photonic crystal fibers that were filled either with ethanol or with heavy water. It is demonstrated that wide tuning ranges can be achieved in both cases through the variable chromatic dispersion generated by thermo-optic effect. Tunability of the signal band from 745 nm to 919 nm, and of the idler band from 1260 nm to 1759 nm is demonstrated with a pump at 1064 nm. Numerical calculations were carried out and show good agreement with experimental measurements.