Analysis of a low-cost technique for the generation of broadband spectra with adjustable spectral width in optical fibers

We study the nonlinear processes involved in the generation of broadband spectra with selectable spectral width. The continuum spectra were generated in short piece of SMF-28 fiber as nonlinear media pumped by a microchip laser at 1064 nm. Bending effects in the spectra were observed through wrapping the fibers on a cylindrical tube. We show that the spectral characteristics directly depend on the properties of the nonlinear medium, the excited nonlinear effects, and the location of the wrapped section which can produce a filtering effect on the SC spectrum. Finally, the main advantages of the proposed scheme are to obtain an adjustable bandwidth for a supercontinuum source through an easy and flexible control, and to provide a low-cost configuration in which photonic crystal fibers are not used.