arXiv subjects

Ole Bang

Publications and source records attributed to Ole Bang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Ultra-low-noise supercontinuum in normal-dispersion ZBLAN fibres pumped at 1.85 $\mu$m

We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, ultra-low-noise supercontinuum (SC) generation in normal-dispersion fluoride fibres pumped by femtosecond (fs) pulses. We have investigated two elliptical-core polarisation-maintaining (PM) ZBLAN fibres with core dimensions 6.7$\times$2.7 $\mu$m and 8.9$\times$4.1 $\mu$m, experimentally measured to have normal dispersion up to 3.77 $\mu$m and 3.25 $\mu$m, respectively; the smaller-core fibre yields ultra-low-noise SC spanning 1.537-2.196 $\mu$m with a minimum relative-intensity noise (RIN) of 0.22% at 1.7 $\mu$m, and the larger-core fibre yields 1.507-2.250 $\mu$m with 0.36% at 2.0 $\mu$m. To aid the generation of low-noise SC, we developed an all-PM thulium chirped-pulse amplifier delivering 58 fs pulses at 1.85 $\mu$m, 210 mW average power at 40 MHz, with 0.41% RIN, seeded by a part of an ultra-low-noise SC using a 1.55 $\mu$m fs laser and an all-normal-dispersion (ANDi) silica fibre for precise seed control. These results establish a robust, alignment-free pathway to extend ultra-low-noise ANDi-fibre SC towards the mid-infrared using PM fluoride fibres.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Measured group birefringence and group velocity dispersion of elliptical-core ZBLAN fibres for mid-infrared supercontinuum generation

Polarisation-maintaining ZBLAN optical fibres with small elliptical cores are attractive for nonlinear frequency conversion, for example in supercontinuum generation (SCG), and for dispersion management in ultrafast fibre laser systems operating in the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral region. Accurate characterisation of group birefringence and group velocity dispersion (GVD) is essential for modelling ultrafast pulse propagation in such fibres, yet experimental data remain scarce. Here, we present broadband measurements of group birefringence and GVD in four elliptical-core ZBLAN fibres, selected for their potential for low-noise MIR SCG, over the wavelength range 1.4 to 4.3 {\mu}m. Using polarisation-resolved white-light spectral interferometry, we quantify the dispersion characteristics of both fundamental modes in each fibre. Measurement uncertainties are evaluated using a combined uncertainty analysis that includes the spread between repeated measurements and the uncertainty in the measured fibre length. This work aims to support the development of MIR supercontinuum sources and to facilitate the understanding of nonlinear optical phenomena in ZBLAN fibres.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Defect Segmentation in OCT scans of ceramic parts for non-destructive inspection using deep learning

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is essential in ceramic manufacturing to ensure the quality of components without compromising their integrity. In this context, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) enables high-resolution internal imaging, revealing defects such as pores, delaminations, or inclusions. This paper presents an automatic defect detection system based on Deep Learning (DL), trained on OCT images with manually segmented annotations. A neural network based on the U-Net architecture is developed, evaluating multiple experimental configurations to enhance its performance. Post-processing techniques enable both quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the predictions. The system shows an accurate behavior of 0.979 Dice Score, outperforming comparable studies. The inference time of 18.98 seconds per volume supports its viability for detecting inclusions, enabling more efficient, reliable, and automated quality control.

cs.CV↗

arXiv2025

MID-INFRARED (MIR) OCT-based inspection in industry

This paper aims to evaluate mid-infrared (MIR) Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) systems as a tool to penetrate different materials and detect sub-surface irregularities. This is useful for monitoring production processes, allowing Non-Destructive Inspection Techniques of great value to the industry. In this exploratory study, several acquisitions are made on composite and ceramics to know the capabilities of the system. In addition, it is assessed which preprocessing and AI-enhanced vision algorithms can be anomaly-detection methodologies capable of detecting abnormal zones in the analyzed objects. Limitations and criteria for the selection of optimal parameters will be discussed, as well as strengths and weaknesses will be highlighted.

eess.IV↗

arXiv2025

Non-destructive sub-surface inspection of multi-layer wind turbine blade coatings by mid-infrared Optical Coherence Tomography

Non-destructive inspection (NDI) is useful in the industrial sector to ensure that manufacturing follows defined specifications, reducing the quantity of waste and thereby the cost of production. In response to climate change and the need to reduce carbon footprints, there is a growing demand for NDI solutions that are primarily non-contact, as well as non-destructive, fast, and easily integrated. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a well-known diagnostic technique in medical and biological research, is increasingly being used for industrial NDI. In the mid-infrared (MIR) wavelength range, OCT can be used to characterise parts and defects not possible by other industry-ready scanners, and enables better penetration than conventional near-infrared OCT. In this article, we demonstrate NDI of wind turbine blade (WTB) coatings using an MIR OCT scanner employing light around 4 $\mu$m from a supercontinuum source. We inspected the top two layers of the coating (topcoat and primer) in two different samples. The first is to determine the maximum penetration depth, and the second one is to emulate defect identification. The results of our study confirm that MIR OCT scanners are highly suitable for coating inspection and quality control in the production of WTBs, with performance parameters not achievable by other technologies.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Noise in supercontinuum generated using PM and non-PM tellurite glass all-normal dispersion fibers

Intensity fluctuations in supercontinuum generation are studied in polarization-maintaining (PM) and non-PM all-normal dispersion tellurite photonic crystal fibers. Dispersive Fourier transformation is used to resolve the shot-to-shot spectra generated using 225 fs pump pulses at 1.55 μm, with experimental results well reproduced by vector and scalar numerical simulations. By comparing the relative intensity noise for the PM and non-PM cases, supported by simulations, we demonstrate the advantage of the polarization-maintaining property of the PM fibers in preserving low-noise dynamics. We associate the low-noise in the PM case with the suppression of polarization modulation instability.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2021

High resolution mid-infrared optical coherence tomography with kHz line rate

We report on Mid-infrared (MIR) OCT at 4 $μ$m based on collinear sum-frequency upconversion and promote the A-scan scan rate to 3 kHz. We demonstrate the increased imaging speed for two spectral realizations, one providing an axial resolution of 8.6 $μ$m, and one providing a record axial resolution of 5.8 $μ$m. Image performance is evaluated by sub-surface micro-mapping of a plastic glove and real-time monitoring of CO$_2$ in parallel with OCT imaging.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Noise performance and long-term stability of near- and mid-IR gas-filled fiber Raman lasers

In this letter, the characteristics of noise and long-term stability of near- and mid-infrared (near-IR and mid-IR) gas-filled fiber Raman lasers have been investigated for the first time. The results reveal that an increase in Raman pulse energy is associated with a decrease in noise, and that the relative pulse peak intensity noise (RIN) is always lower than the relative pulse energy noise (REN). We also demonstrate that long-term drift of the pulse energy and peak power are directly linked with the high amount of heat release during the Raman Stokes generation. The demonstrated noise and long-term stability performance provide necessary references for potential spectroscopic applications as well as further improvements of the emerging mid-IR gas-filled hollow-core fiber (HCF) Raman laser technology.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Multi-wavelength high energy gas-filled fiber Raman laser spanning from 1.53 um to 2.4 um

In this work, we present a high pulse energy multi-wavelength Raman laser spanning from 1.53 um up to 2.4 um by employing the cascaded rotational stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) effect in a 5-m hydrogen (H2) -filled nested anti-resonant fiber (NARF), pumped by a linearly polarized Er/Yb fiber laser with a peak power of ~13 kW and pulse duration of ~7 ns in the C-band. The developed Raman laser has distinct lines at 1683 nm, 1868 nm, 2100 nm, and 2400 nm, with pulse energies as high as 18.25 uJ, 14.4 uJ, 14.1 uJ, and 8.2 uJ, respectively. We demonstrate how the energy in the Raman lines can be controlled by tuning the H2 pressure from 1 bar to 20 bar

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Shot-noise limited, supercontinuum based optical coherence tomography

We present the first demonstration of shot-noise limited supercontinuum-based spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with axial resolution of 5.9 $μ$m at a center wavelength of 1370 nm. Current supercontinuum-based SD-OCT systems cannot be operated in the shot-noise limited detection regime because of severe pulse-to-pulse relative intensity noise of the supercontinuum source. To overcome this disadvantage we have developed a low-noise supercontinuum source based on an all-normal dispersion (ANDi) fiber, pumped by a femtosecond laser. The noise performance of our 90 MHz ANDi supercontinuum source is compared to that of two commercial sources operating at 80 and 320 MHz repetition rate. We show that the low noise of the ANDi supercontinuum source improves the OCT images significantly in terms of both higher contrast, better sensitivity, and improved penetration. From SD-OCT imaging of skin, retina, and multi-layer stacks we conclude that supercontinuum-based SD-OCT can enter the domain of shot-noise limited detection.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Cross-Phase Modulation Instability in PM ANDi Fiber-Based Supercontinuum Generation

We demonstrate broadband supercontinuum generation in an all-normal dispersion polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber and we report the observation of a cross-phase modulation instability sideband that is generated outside of the supercontinuum bandwidth. We demonstrate this sideband is polarized on the slow axis and can be suppressed by pumping on the fiber's fast axis. We theoretically confirm and model this nonlinear process using phase-matching conditions and numerical simulations, obtaining good agreement with the measured data.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Delocalized SPM rogue waves in normal dispersion cascaded supercontinuum generation

In the numerical modelling of cascaded mid-infrared (IR) supercontinuum generation (SCG) we have studied how an ensemble of spectrally and temporally distributed solitons from the long-wavelength part of an SC evolves and interacts when coupled into the normal dispersion regime of a highly nonlinear chalcogenide fiber. This has revealed a novel fundamental phenomenon - the generation of a temporally and spectrally delocalized high energy rogue wave in the normal dispersion regime in the form of a strongly self-phase-modulation (SPM) broadened pulse. Along the local SPM shape the rogue wave is localized both temporally and spectrally. We demonstrate that this novel form of rogue wave is generated by inter-pulse Raman amplification between the SPM lobes of the many pulses causing the initially most delayed pulse to swallow the energy of all the other pulses. We further demonstrate that this novel type of rogue wave generation is a key effect in efficient long-wavelength mid-IR SCG based on the cascading of SC spectra and demonstrate how the mid-IR SC spectrum can be shaped by manipulating the rogue wave.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Nanoimprinting and Tapering of Chalcogenide Photonic Crystal Fibers for Cascaded Supercontinuum Generation

Improved long-wavelength transmission and supercontinuum (SC) generation is demonstrated by anti-reflective (AR) nanoimprinting and tapering of chalcogenide photonic crystal fibers (PCF). Using a SC source input spanning from 1-4.2 μm, the total transmission of a 15 μm core diameter PCF was improved from ~53 % to ~74 % by nanoimprinting of AR structures on both input- and output facets of the fiber. Through a combined effect of reduced reflection and red-shifting of the spectrum to 5 μm, the relative transmission of light >3.5 μm in the same fiber was increased by 60.2 %. Further extension of the spectrum to 8 μm was achieved using tapered fibers. The spectral broadening dynamics and output power was investigated using different taper parameters and pulse repetition rates.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Noise and spectral stability of deep-UV gas-filled fiber-based supercontinuum sources driven by ultrafast mid-IR pulses

Deep-UV (DUV) supercontinuum (SC) sources based on gas-filled hollow-core fibers constitute perhaps the most viable solution towards ultrafast, compact, and tunable lasers in the UV spectral region. Noise and spectral stability of such broadband sources are key parameters that define their true potential and suitability towards real-world applications. In order to investigate the spectral stability and noise levels in these fiber-based DUV sources, we generate an SC spectrum that extends from 180 nm (through phase-matched dispersive waves - DWs) to 4 μm by pumping an argon-filled hollow-core anti-resonant fiber at a wavelength of 2.45 μm. We characterize the long-term stability of the source over several days and the pulse-to-pulse relative intensity (RIN) noise of the strongest DW at 275 nm. The results indicate no sign of spectral degradation over 110 hours, but the RIN of the DW pulses at 275 nm is found to be as high as 33.3%. Numerical simulations were carried out to investigate the spectral distribution of the RIN and the results confirm the experimental measurements and that the poor noise performance is due to the RIN of the pump laser, which was hitherto not considered in numerical modelling of these sources. The results presented herein provide an important step towards an understanding of the noise mechanism underlying such complex light-gas nonlinear interactions and demonstrate the need for pump laser stabilization.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Ultra-low-noise supercontinuum generation with a flat near-zero normal dispersion fiber

A pure silica photonic crystal fiber with a group velocity dispersion ($β_2$) of 4 ps$^2$/km at 1.55 $μ$m and less than 7 ps$^2$/km from 1.32 $μ$m to the zero dispersion wavelength (ZDW) 1.80 $μ$m was designed and fabricated. The dispersion of the fiber was measured experimentally and found to agree with the fiber design, which also provides low loss below 1.83 $μ$m due to eight outer rings with increased hole diameter. The fiber was pumped with a 1.55 $μ$m, 125 fs laser and, at the maximum in-coupled peak power (P$_0$) of 9 kW, a 1.34$-$1.82 $μ$m low-noise spectrum with a relative intensity noise below 2.2\% was measured. The numerical modeling agreed very well with the experiments and showed that P$_0$ could be increased to 26 kW before noise from solitons above the ZDW started to influence the spectrum by pushing high-noise dispersive waves through the spectrum.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Real-time High-Resolution Mid-infrared Optical Coherence Tomography

The potential for improving the penetration depth of optical coherence tomography systems by using increasingly longer wavelength light sources has been known since the inception of the technique in the early 1990s. Nevertheless, the development of mid-infrared optical coherence tomography has long been challenged by the maturity and fidelity of optical components in this spectral region, resulting in slow acquisition, low sensitivity, and poor axial resolution. In this work, a mid-infrared spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system operating at 4 micron central wavelength with an axial resolution of 8.6 microns is demonstrated. The system produces 2D cross-sectional images in real-time enabled by a high-brightness 0.9-4.7 micron mid-infrared supercontinuum source with 1 MHz pulse repetition rate for illumination and broadband upconversion of more than 1 micron bandwidth from 3.58-4.63 microns to 820-865 nm, where a standard 800 nm spectrometer can be used for fast detection. Images produced by the mid-infrared system are compared with those delivered by a state-of-the-art ultra-high-resolution near-infrared optical coherence tomography system operating at 1.3 μm, and the potential applications and samples suited for this technology are discussed. In doing so, the first practical mid-infrared optical coherence tomography system is demonstrated, with immediate applications in real-time non-destructive testing for the inspection of defects and thickness measurements in samples that are too highly scattering at shorter wavelengths.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Hybrid photonic-crystal fiber

This article offers an extensive survey of results obtained using hybrid photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) which constitute one of the most active research fields in contemporary fiber optics. The ability to integrate novel and functional materials in solid- and hollow-core PCFs through various post-processing methods has enabled new directions towards understanding fundamental linear and nonlinear phenomena as well as novel application aspects, within the fields of optoelectronics, material and laser science, remote sensing and spectroscopy. Here the recent progress in the field of hybrid PCFs is reviewed from scientific and technological perspectives, focusing on how different fluids, solids and gases can significantly extend the functionality of PCFs. In the first part of this review we discuss the most important efforts by research groups around the globe to develop tunable linear and nonlinear fiber-optic devices using PCFs infiltrated with various liquids, glasses, semiconductors and metals. The second part is concentrated on the most recent and state-of-the-art advances in the field of gas-filled hollow-core PCFs. Extreme ultrafast gas-based nonlinear optics towards light generation in the extreme wavelength regions of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV), pulse propagation and compression dynamics in both atomic and molecular gases, and novel soliton - plasma interactions are reviewed. A discussion of future prospects and directions is also included.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Amplitude noise and coherence degradation of femtosecond supercontinuum generation in all-normal-dispersion fibers

Supercontinuum (SC) generation via femtosecond (fs) pumping in all-normal-dispersion (ANDi) fiber is predicted to offer completely coherent broadening mechanisms, potentially allowing for substantially reduced noise levels in comparison to those obtained when operating in the anomalous dispersion regime. However, previous studies of SC noise typically treat only the quantum noise, typically in the form of one-photon-per-mode noise, and do not consider other technical noise contributions, such as the stability of the pump laser, which become important when the broadening mechanism itself is coherent. In this work, we discuss the influence of the amplitude and pulse length noise of the pump laser, both added separately and combined. We show that for a typical mode-locked laser, in which the peak power and pulse duration are anticorrelated, their combined impact on the SC noise is generally smaller than in isolation. This means that the supercontinuum noise is smaller than the noise of the mode-locked pump laser itself, a fact that was recently observed in experiments but not explained. Our detailed numerical analysis shows that the coherence of ANDi SC generation is considerably reduced on the spectral edges when realistic pump laser noise levels are taken into account.

physics.optics↗