Photoscattering effect in supercontinuum-generating photonic crystal fiber.

A photosensitivity different from that responsible for fiber grating inscription is found in a supercontinuum-generating photonic crystal fiber transmitting intense 818 nm femtosecond pulses. This photosensitivity progressively generates a waveguide at the entrance of the fiber to scatter light of specific wavelengths and is termed as the photoscattering effect. This effect is linked to the ~800 nm photosensitivity in the microlithography of bulk silica glass. While the effect somewhat limits fiber-optic supercontinuum applications, it can be beneficial to produce new photonic devices.