Optical parametric generation of nearly transform-limited mid-infrared pulses in dispersion-engineered nonlinear waveguides

Optical parametric generation in dispersion-engineered waveguides fabricated by proton exchange in periodically poled lithium niobate is numerically investigated as a means for producing widely tunable midinfrared ultrashort pulses starting from low energy pump pulses at a 1.55 μm, wavelength and with 100 fs duration, which are typical parameters of amplified Er-fiber oscillators. Numerical evidence is given about the generation of sub-100 fs nearly transform-limited pulses in the 2.4-4.4 μm spectral range. © 2008 Optical Society of America.