Nonlinear optical device

An optical continuum source comprising a planar optical waveguide, at least a section of the planar optical waveguide being operative to generate an optical output having an output bandwidth from at least a portion of an optical input having an input bandwidth by means of a non-linear optical process, wherein the optical output has an optical spectrum comprising an optical continuum as a result of nonlinear broadening of the optical input, the planar optical waveguide being operative to enhance the ratio of the output bandwidth to the input bandwidth to at least 4, the term “bandwidth” being defined here as the wavelength interval beyond which the spectral radiant intensity remains below a level of −30 decibels (0.001) of the maximum value.

An optical parametric oscillator comprising:

• a planar optical waveguide, at least a section of the planar optical waveguide being operative to generate an optical output from at least a portion of an optical input having an input bandwidth by means of a non-linear optical process, the optical output having a wavelength within an accessible bandwidth, wherein the planar optical waveguide is operative to enhance the accessible bandwidth such that the ratio of the accessible bandwidth to the input bandwidth is at least 4, the term “bandwidth” being defined here as the wavelength interval beyond which the spectral radiant intensity remains below a level of −30 decibels (0.001) of the maximum value;
• and,
• means for providing optical feedback at a wavelength within the accessible bandwidth.

An optical parametric amplifier comprising a planar optical waveguide for receiving a first optical input having a first input bandwidth and a second optical input having a second input bandwidth, at least a section of the planar optical waveguide being operative to amplify the second optical input by generating an optical output from at least a portion of the first optical input by means of a nonlinear optical process, the optical output and the second optical input having a wavelength within an accessible bandwidth, wherein the planar optical waveguide is operative to enhance the accessible bandwidth such that the ratio of the accessible bandwidth to the first input bandwidth is at least 4, the term “bandwidth” being defined here as the wavelength interval beyond which the spectral radiant intensity remains below a level of −30 decibels (0.001) of the maximum value.

A method for enhancing the bandwidth accessible in the generation of an optical output, comprising the step of providing a planar optical waveguide for receiving an optical input having an input bandwidth, wherein at least a section of the planar optical waveguide is operative to generate an optical output from at least a portion of the optical input by means of a non-linear optical process, the optical output having a wavelength within an accessible bandwidth, wherein the planar optical waveguide is operative to enhance the accessible bandwidth such that the ratio of the accessible bandwidth to the input bandwidth is at least 4, the term “bandwidth” being defined here as the wavelength interval beyond which the spectral radiant intensity remains below a level of −30 decibels (0.001) of the maximum value.