Evanescently coupled dual core optofluidic fibers a new path

towards ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy at analytically relevant

sample concentrations
Benjamin Dietzek and Markus A. Schmidt in collaboration with Peter Herman
This project will research novel fiber geometries with respect to their application in ultrafast
pump-probe spectroscopy of molecular species. The idea is to demonstrate an concept
towards pump-probe visible-near-IR spectroscopy within a novel waveguiding geometry at
extremely small analytic sample concentrations.
To enhance the signal-to-noise of the
experiments while simultaneously controlling the
dispersions of the 30-fsec pump and probe
pulses, an evanescently coupled dual core fiber
geometry with a central optofluidic channel
containing the analyte is to be explored here.
Pump and probe beam are guided in either of the
cores, whereas the central analyte is traced via
the evanescent field of the formed supermodes.
The pulses dispersion properties in the cores
need to be independently adjusted to prevent severe pulse dispersion, and the overlap of
the modes with the central analyte needs to be maximized for achieving large single yields.
About the first twelve months of the PhD project will concentrate on the design and
fabrication of the fiber, while in the later stage the ultrafast pump-probe experiments using
the novel fiber geometry are performed. These proof-of-concept experiments will exploit
the accessible parameter range and will especially target the impact of supercontinuum
generation in the fiber itself for the spectroscopic readout.
1.

Wchtler, M.; Kupfer, S.; Guthmuller, J.; Rau, S.; Gonzalez, L.; Dietzek, B. Structural
Control of Photoinduced Dynamics in 4H-Imidazole-Ruthenium Dyes, J. Phys. Chem. C
(2012) 116, 25664-25676.

2.

H. W. Lee, M. A. Schmidt, P. Uebel, H. Tyagi , N. Y. Joly, M. Scharrer and P. St.J. Russell.

Optofluidic refractive-index sensor in step-index fiber with parallel hollow microchannel. Opt. Exp. 19, 8200 (2011).

Theoretical modeling of nonlinear optics in gas-filled hollow-core fibers

in the near and mid-IR
Stefanie Grfe and Ulf Peschel in collaboration with Franois Lgar
The generation of harmonics is one of the fundamental effects in nonlinear optics. Low-order harmonics
(below the ionization threshold) can be used to extract atomic and molecular parameters, such as their
optical susceptibilities. The first pioneering experiments and theoretical investigations in the mid-IR have
revealed new regimes of ultrafast nonlinear-optical dynamics of field waveforms in this spectral range,
requiring generalization of the existing models of short-pulse evolution and calling for in-depth studies of
optical nonlinearities in the mid-IR. The central idea of this project is to theoretically examine nonlinear
optical properties of gases interacting with ultrashort near- and mid-infrared laser pulses. Hereby, the
laser-matter interaction will be confined to gas-filled hollow-core fibers, which enable efficient guiding of
intense light inside the fiber. From a theoretical perspective, this requires modeling of the propagation
dynamics of ultrashort laser pulses in hollow-core fibers [2], together with a self-consistent classical and
quantum description of the nonlinear dynamics of atoms and molecules in intense laser fields [1].
In the interaction of intense pulses with molecular gases, additional effects as compared to atomic gases,
such as stimulated Raman scattering, have been observed. Within this project, novel nonlinear optical
properties are to be explored: with the help of spectral and temporal shaping of the input pulse prior to the
interaction with the gas inside hollow-core fiber, it is possible to precisely map the nonlinear dynamics in
space and time and investigate their properties. We will apply this method to e.g. excite molecular
rotational wave packets, which provides the possibility to control molecular nonlinearities on the ultrafast
time scale due to their strong dependence on molecular orientation.
This project will reveal new regimes and possibilities for pulse compression down to a single optical cycle
and spectral super-continuum generation, especially in the mid-IR spectral range, novel for ultrafast
nonlinear optics, and thus provide answers and allow predictions to fundamental physical questions
concerning the interaction of intense, ultrashort mid-IR pulses with matter. The project will be conducted
in close collaboration with experimental groups of Christian Spielmann (near infrared) and Franois Lgar
(mid infrared).
[1]
[2]
[3]

C. Lemell, K. I. Dimitriou, X.-M. Tong, S. Nagele, D. V. Kartashov, J. Burgdrfer, S. Grfe, Lowenergy peak structure in strong-field ionization by mid-infrared laser-pulses: two-dimensional
focusing by the atomic potential, Phys. Rev. A 2012, 85, 011403-1(R) - 011403-5(R).
S. Skupin, L. Berg, U. Peschel, and F. Lederer, Interaction of femtosecond light filaments with
obscurants in aerosols, Phys.Rev.Lett.93, 023901(2004).
B. E. Schmidt, N. Thir, M. Boivin, A. Larame, F. Poitras, G. Lebrun, T. Ozaki, H. Ibrahim, F. Lgar,
Frequency domain optical parametric amplification, Nature Commun. 5, 3643 (2014).

Investigation of the performance scaling potential of mid-IR

femtosecond fiber laser systems
Jens Limpert and Andreas Tnnermann in collaboration with Ral Valle
Thulium-based fiber laser systems are an attractive platform for high power 2 m laser
sources. Tm-doped silica fibers possess a very broad amplification band spanning from 1800
to 2100 nm, i.e. they support ultrashort pulse durations. These fibers can be pumped
efficiently by commercially available high power diode lasers emitting around 790 nm, and
allow for slope efficiencies higher than 70% by exploiting cross- relaxation processes.
Additionally, longer wavelengths bring further advantages with regard to detrimental
nonlinear effects in fiber lasers as the strength of most of them scales with the inverse of the
wavelength (e.g., stimulated Raman scattering, self-phase modulation, four-wave mixing)
or even with the inverse of 2 (e.g., self-focusing limit). Furthermore, if the numerical
aperture of the fiber is kept constant, the core diameter can be scaled linearly with the
wavelength while preserving the guiding properties of the structure. This should allow for
two times larger mode field diameters at 2 m compared with fibers operating at 1 m.
Hence, ultrashort pulse fiber systems operating around 2 m wavelength are promising
candidates for peak power scaling and might one day sur- pass the performance of their 1
m counterparts. Tm-based fiber-laser systems with sub-ps pulse duration have already
reached an average power of up to 152 W [1] and a record peak power as high as 200 MW
[2].
The PhD project is devoted to explore the full potential of the performance in this
interesting wavelength range. The work will include the design of novel large mode area
fibers, scaling strategies such as coherent combination and nonlinear pulse compression in
hollow-type waveguides.
1.

Fabian Stutzki, Christian Gaida, Martin Gebhardt, Florian Jansen, Andreas Wienke, Uwe
Zeitner, Frank Fuchs, Cesar Jauregui, Dieter Wandt, Dietmar Kracht, Jens Limpert, and
Andreas Tnnermann, "152W average power Tm-doped fiber CPA system," Opt. Lett.
39, 4671-4674 (2014)

2.

Fabian Stutzki, Christian Gaida, Martin Gebhardt, Florian Jansen, Cesar Jauregui, Jens
Limpert, and Andreas Tnnermann, "Tm-based fiber-laser system with more than
200MW peak power," Opt. Lett. 40, 9-12 (2015)

Mode-conversion and polarization control in advanced fibers by

ultrashort pulse laser structuring
Stefan Nolte and Jens Limpert in collaboration with Ral Valle
The control of light propagation inside optical fibers is essential for a variety of applications from
sensing to high-power fiber lasers. In particular, special fibers like large mode area fibers or
microstructured fibers open possibilities far beyond standard single-mode fibers. In order to locally
tailor the guiding properties, a defined structuring is required. As a well-known example, fiber Bragg
grating (FBG) filters can be inscribed, reflecting selectively specific wavelengths. Until recently, such
FBG could be inscribed only using UV laser radiation and photosensitive fibers. This poses severe
limitations on the applicability, since it provides only a limited one-dimensional (1D) modulation of
the refractive index profile along with the pre-existing core waveguide.
All these limitations can be overcome with the use of the
strong nonlinear multi-photon interactions of femtosecond
laser light for the structuring process [1]. The femtosecond
writing process offers an exceptionally more flexible approach
to concentrating and patterning the refractive profile
anywhere within the core waveguide as well as outside in the
cladding. This opens up a vast field of yet untapped
possibilities to realize elaborated modifications specifically
adapted for the spatial properties of the guided light in core
and cladding [2], including control of the modal content and
mode-conversion possibilities.
The goal of the PhD project is to seamlessly integrate novel
functionalities into advanced fibers. The research project
intends to pursue fundamental research related to ultrafast
laser-matter interaction and develop new fiber inscription
processes, e.g. adapting nanograting generation [3] for
polarization control as well flexible approaches for modal control or mode conversion. Targeted
applications range from high-power fiber lasers to all-fiber-integrated quantum encrypted devices as
well as robust sensors.

1. K. Itoh, W. Watanabe, S. Nolte, C. B. Schaffer, Ultrafast processes for bulk modification of

transparent materials, MRS Bulletin 31, 620 625 (2006)
2. J. Thomas, C. Voigtlnder, R.G. Becker, D. Richter, A. Tnnermann, S. Nolte, Femtosecond
pulse written fiber gratings: a new avenue to integrated fiber technology, Laser Photonics
Rev. 6, 709723 (2012)
3. F. Zimmermann, A. Plech, S. Richter, A. Tnnermann, S. Nolte, On the rewriting of ultrashort
pulse-induced nanogratings, Opt. Lett. 40(9), 2049-2052 (2015)

Dynamics of coupled nonlinear cavity systems

Thomas Pertsch and Ulf Peschel in collaboration with Roberto Morandotti, Luca
Razzari, Stewart Aitchison, Joyce Poon
Different materials and geometries will be employed to realize coupled nonlinear optical cavity
systems, which will be studied for their complex nonlinear optical spatio-temporal dynamics. Starting
from our experience with the theoretical treatment, the micro- and nanofabrication, and the
experimental investigation of different highly integrated cavity concepts, the proposed research will
comprise whispering gallery microdisc resonators providing ultra-high Q factors and photonic crystal
cavities with ultra-small cavity volumes as well as ultra-high nonlinearities. Materials for the
realization of such nonlinear cavities will include lithium niobate and fused silica. The goal of our
explorative research will be the identification of ultimate limits in terms of cavity parameters, like the
smallest mode volume at highest Q, and the corresponding fundamental scaling laws. Further
interest lies in the development of concepts to selectively control the channels by which the cavity
modes couple to the outside radiation field or couple among each other. This control will give rise to
new schemes and geometries towards efficient coupling of light into and out of the cavity, being
essential for any application scenario. Eventually spatio-temporal dynamics will be investigated,
which result from coupling together several cavities, when different types of nonlinearity (second
order and third order) are employed.

A. E. Klein, C. Schmidt, M. Liebsch, N. Janunts, M. Dobynde, A. Tnnermann, and T. Pertsch, "Highly

sensitive mode mapping of whispering-gallery modes by scanning thermocouple-probe microscopy,"
Opt. Lett. 39, 1157-1160 (2014).
S. Diziain, R. Geiss, M. Zilk, F. Schrempel, E.-B. Kley, A. Tnnermann, and T. Pertsch, "Mode analysis of
photonic crystal L3 cavities in self-suspended lithium niobate membranes," Appl. Phys. Lett. 103,
251101 (2013).

Switching and optical isolation in PT-symmetric optical systems

Ulf Peschel and Alexander Szameit in collaboration with Roberto Morandotti

The realization of all-optical switching and data processing is one of the fundamental goals
of modern information technology. Unfortunately required power levels are still too high
and device dimensions are too big to allow for the realization of commercially relevant
systems. A similar challenge is to replace currently used bulky optical isolators employed to
suppress back reflected light in fiber systems by integrated optical elements. New material
systems are required to solve these tasks. Recently a new class of effective optical materials
has been established, where gain and loss section are combined while maintaining so-called
Parity-Time (PT) symmetry. Besides remarkable properties as the occurrence of
unidirectional reflection, power oscillations and superluminal propagation of light also a
phase transition is observed for growing gain and loss, respectively [1]. For low gain the
system is stable, where above a certain threshold exponential growth occurs. When
operated close to this threshold already tiny perturbations of PT symmetry as e.g. induced
by a nonlinear action of the material can result in exponential growth of modes. Thus we
expect switching and amplification of signals at very low power levels. Theoretical
calculations also suggest that reciprocity is broken in PT symmetric materials for nonlinear
operation thus realizing optical isolation. However, an experimental proof of all these
predictions based on nonlinear effects in PT symmetric materials has not yet been obtained
and will be the focus of this project.
The project includes both theoretical calculations and experimental activities. The latter
ones will start with an already available fiber based set-up, which is capable of realizing an
effective PT-symmetric material both in the linear [1] and in the nonlinear case [2]. The
doctoral candidate is expected to first familiarize with the theory of PT-symmetric materials,
with modelling tools and with the experimental set-up. After having designed promising
configurations he will realize respective structures experimentally. Finally respective results
will be transferred to other material systems available in the consortium.

1.

A. Regensburger, C. Bersch, M.-A. Miri, G. Onishchukov, D. N. Christodoulides, and U.

Peschel, Paritytime synthetic photonic lattices, Nature 488 pp.167-171
doi:10.1038/nature11298 (2012).

2.

M. Wimmer, A. Regensburger, C. Bersch, M.-A. Miri, S. Batz, G. Onishchukov, D. N.

Christodoulides, and U. Peschel, Optical diametric drive acceleration through
actionreaction symmetry breaking, Nature Physics 9, 780-784 (2013)
doi:10.1038/nphys2777

Nonlinear optics in gas-filled hollow-core fibers in the near and midIR

Christian Spielmann and Stefanie Grfe in collaboration with Franois Lgar
The interaction of intense laser pulses with matter is a vivid research area as it not only aims at
investigating fundamental physical questions but also offers a variety of applications. The central
idea of this project is to examine nonlinear optical properties of atomic and molecular gases in the
interaction with ultrashort infrared laser pulses. Hereby, the laser-matter interaction will be confined
to gas-filled hollow-core fibers, which enable efficient guiding of intense light inside the fiber.
It has been shown in the last years that as a result of such interaction the pulses spectral and
temporal properties change substantially: multi-octave-spanning spectral broadening (and pulse self
compression) has been observed, as well as e.g. stimulated Raman scattering in molecular gases [2].
Within this project, novel nonlinear optical properties are to be explored: with the help of spectral
and temporal shaping of the input pulse prior to the interaction with the gas-filled hollow-core fiber,
it is possible to precisely map the nonlinear dynamics in space and time and investigate their
properties. Following on these initial investigations, the central wavelength of the ultrashort laser
pulse will be increased towards the mid-IR spectral range [3], as here the relative importance of highorder nonlinearities, plasma and Raman scattering (in the case of molecular gases) might be
significantly different than for the case of near-IR laser pulses, as has been demonstrated very
recently. Also, new regimes of nonlinear interaction corresponding to soliton-like nonlinear dynamics
are expected in this case. The experiments will be accompanied by theoretical modeling of the
propagation dynamics of ultrashort laser pulses in hollow-core fibers, together with a self-consistent
classical and quantum description of the nonlinear dynamics of atoms and molecules in intense laser
fields [1]. The project will also benefit in the future from the novel high average power fiber laser
sources developed by J. Limpert and specially designed hollow core fibers and PCF fibers for the midIR provided by M. Schmidt and coworkers.
This project will, besides answers to fundamental physical questions concerning the interaction of
intense, ultrashort mid-IR pulses with matter, provide a tunable ultrashort (down to a single optical
cycle) source of near- to mid-IR radiation, which can be used for example in molecular spectroscopy.
[1]
C. Lemell, K. I. Dimitriou, X.-M. Tong, S. Nagele, D. V. Kartashov, J. Burgdrfer, S. Grfe, Lowenergy peak structure in strong-field ionization by mid-infrared laser-pulses: two-dimensional
focusing by the atomic potential, Phys. Rev. A 2012, 85, 011403-1(R) - 011403-5(R).
[2]
A. Hoffmann, M. Zrch, M. Grfe, C. Spielmann, Spectral broadening and compression of
sub-millijoule laser pulses in hollow-core fibers filled with sulfur hexafluoride Opt. Exp. 22, 12038
(2014)
[3]
B. E. Schmidt, N. Thir, M. Boivin, A. Larame, F. Poitras, G. Lebrun, T. Ozaki, H. Ibrahim, F.
Lgar, Frequency domain optical parametric amplification, Nature Commun. 5, 3643 (2014)

Defect-free confinement of light waves

Alexander Szameit in collaboration with Roberto Morandotti, Luca Razzari, Stewart
Aitchison, and Joyce Poon
Due to the high flexibility in tailoring its properties, confined light is an ideal tool for numerous
applications. A natural way of confining light is the use of artificial defects in an otherwise
undistorted environment, such that defect states form that trap the propagating light field. However,
recently more advanced concepts evolved with non-trivial (and non-intuitive) approaches to
suppress light diffraction. This includes, e.g., topological materials [1] and ultra-strong pseudomagnetic fields [2]; moreover, the approaches do not only work for classical, but also for quantum
light [3].
In this PhD project, novel mechanisms for advanced light confinement will be studied, in theory and
experiment, using classical and quantum light. The basis for all implementations will be arrays of
evanescently coupled waveguides, which are one of the most prominent model systems for
advanced physics concepts [4]. In particular, they allow the extension of the investigated concepts
from the Hermitian [5] into the non-Hermitian domain [6], opening the gate to unravel further novel
and unexpected phenomena.
[1] M. C. Rechtsman, J. M. Zeuner, Y. Plotnik, Y. Lumer, D. Podolsky, F. Dreisow, S. Nolte, M. Segev,
and A. Szameit, Nature 496, 196-200 (2013).
[2] M. C. Rechtsman, J. M. Zeuner, A. Tnnermann, S. Nolte, M. Segev, and A. Szameit, Nature
Photonics 7, 153-158 (2013).
[3] M. Grfe, R. Heilmann, A. Perez-Leija, R. Keil, F. Dreisow, M. Heinrich, H. Moya-Cessa, S. Nolte, D.
N. Christodoulides, and A. Szameit, Nature Photonics 8, 791-795 (2014).
[4] D. N. Christodoulides, F. Lederer, and Y, Silberberg, Nature 424, 817-823 (2003).
[5] 29. R. Keil, J. M. Zeuner, F. Dreisow, M. Heinrich, A. Tnnermann, S. Nolte, and A. Szameit,
Nature Communications 4, 1368 (2013).
[6] 30. T. Eichelkraut, R. Heilmann, S. Weimann, S. Sttzer, F. Dreisow, D. N. Christodoulides, S.
Nolte, and A. Szameit, Nature Communications 4, 2533 (2013).

Phasing of amplifying multicore fibers

Andreas Tnnermann and Thomas Pertsch in collaboration with Franois Lgar
During the recent years, coherent combination has been established as a power-scaling
concept for all kinds of laser architectures from fiber amplifiers to OPCPA systems. It has
been demonstrated that it can be used to overcome physical limitations of the amplifiers [1].
However, in current state-of-the-art systems, cascaded 1:2 beam-splitter setups are used for
the beam-splitting and combination, leading to a quite complex systems with significant
component count when increasing the number of channels.
To make future most powerful amplification systems with a large channel count more viable,
we propose the use of a fiber with multiple cores in combination with a 1:N beam-splitter.
This has the potential for outstanding ultrafast laser parameters in a compact and reliable
manner.

Setup of the Segmented mirror splitter/combiner and the multicore fiber

About the first twelve months of the PhD project will be devoted to the design of the
multicore fiber and the 1:N beam splitter for broadband laser pulses. Most important is the
optical and thermal decoupling of the individual cores [2]. After fabrication of the multicore
fiber the project will concentrate on the coherent addition of the multicore emission into
one single beam. Strategies of passive and active phasing need to be developed during the
PhD work.
1.

A. Klenke, S. Hdrich, T. Eidam, J. Rothhardt, M. Kienel, S. Demmler, T. Gottschall, J.

Limpert, and A. Tnnermann,"22 GW peak-power fiber chirped-pulse-amplification
system," Opt. Lett. 39, 6875-6878 (2014).

2.

Hans-Jrgen Otto, Arno Klenke, Cesar Jauregui, Fabian Stutzki, Jens Limpert, and
Andreas Tnnermann, "Scaling the mode instability threshold with multicore fibers,"
Opt. Lett. 39, 2680-2683 (2014)