Highly nonlinear layered spiral microstructured optical fiber

•We propose and investigate a novel layered spiral microstructured optical fiber (LS-MOF).•The proposed LS-MOF offers the possibility of a good control of both the dispersion and the nonlinear properties.•Zero dispersion, low confinement loss, and a record value of γ = 70.0 W−1/km for the LS-MOF nonlinear parameter are simultaneously obtained at 1.55 μm.•Our results demonstrate the great potential of the LS-MOF for an efficient generation of the supercontinuum.

A layered spiral microstructured optical fiber (LS-MOF) is presented, which offers the possibility of a good control of both the dispersion and the nonlinear properties. The proposed design is analyzed using a finite element method considering silica and air as the materials. Zero dispersion, low confinement loss, and a record value of γ = 70.0 W−1/km for the LS-MOF nonlinear parameter are simultaneously obtained at 1.55 μm, whereas a higher value γ = 169.4 W−1/km can be achieved at 1.06 μm. Our results demonstrate the great potential of the LS-MOF for several nonlinear applications, namely for an efficient generation of the supercontinuum.