Soliton dynamics in photonic-crystal fibers for coherent Raman microspectroscopy and microscopy

We describe various generation schemes that employ soliton dynamics in photonic-crystal fibers to generate a red-shifted femtosecond pulse with high efficiency. We then detail how to use this pulse along with the initial femtosecond laser pulse for coherent Raman experiments. We describe various measurement schemes that, though utilizing this pair of femtosecond pulses, mimick the preferred measurement scheme for coherent Raman microspectroscopy where one pulse is transform-limited and of picosecond duration; or for coherent Raman microscopy where both pulses are transform-limited and of picosecond duration. We finally discuss how to increase pulse energy and give some perspective on the realization of a coherent Raman endoscope based on soliton dynamics.

► Soliton dynamics in photonic-crystal fibers are used to generate a red-shifted femtosecond pulse. ► This soliton pulse along with the initial laser pulse is used for coherent Raman experiments. ► We describe various coherent Raman measurement schemes using fs pulses. ► We discuss how to increase pulse energy from the soliton pulse. ► We give some perspective on the realization of a coherent Raman endoscope.