Design and optimization of fiber optical parametric oscillators for femtosecond pulse generation

In this paper, we use a genetic algorithm and pulse-propagation analysis to design and optimize optical parametric oscillators based on soft-glass microstructured optical fibers. The maximum parametric gain, phase-match, walk-off between pump (1560 nm) and signal (880 nm) pulses, signal feedback ratio and signal-pump synchronization of the cavity are optimized. Pulse propagation analysis suggests that one can implement a fiber optical parametric oscillator capable of generating approximately 200-fs pulses at 880 nm with 43% peak-power conversion, high output pulse quality (time-bandwidth product approximately 0.43) and a wavelength tuning range that is limited only by the glass transmission windows.Wen Qi Zhang, Jay E. Sharping, Richard T. White, Tanya M. Monro, and Shahraam Afshar V