Finite-difference time-domain calculation with all parameters of Sellmeier's fitting equation for 12-fs laser pulse propagation in a silica fiber

Abstract

In order to both experimentally and numerically investigate nonlinear femtosecond ultrabroadband-pulse propagation in a silica fiber, we have extended the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculation of Maxwell's equations with nonlinear terms to that including all exact Sellmeier-fitting values. We have compared results of this extended FDTD method with experimental results, as well as with the solution of the generalized nonlinear Schrodinger equation by the split-step Fourier method with a slowly varying-envelope approximation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comparison between FDTD calculation and experimental results for nonlinear propagation of a very short (12 fs) laser pulse in a silica fiber.