Pump format influence on noise characteristics and spectral extent of CW continuum generation in new low-water-loss holey fibers

Watts-level, continuous-wave pumped supercontinua, 1.06-1.7 mum, generated in a new low OH-loss PCF exhibit distinct spectral and noise dynamics when pumped with either high or low-intensity-noise 1 um sources. Applications to ultra-low-noise mum-scale OCT are analyzed.