Wavelength Conversion and Supercontinuum Generation in Silicon Optical Fibers

This paper describes the state of the art in wavelength conversion and supercontinuum generation using glass-clad silicon core optical fibers. Such semiconductor fibers have enjoyed considerable attention due to their intrinsically high third-order nonlinearities, which are markedly higher than in conventional infrared glasses. Results to date from small core silicon fibers fabricated using both the high-pressure chemical vapor deposition technique and the molten core drawing method are presented. Also discussed are directions for continued study and development, including engineering the dispersion and nonlinear properties as well as improved interconnection.