7. Outlook

Spectral range

At present, the mechanisms responsible for the formation of supercontinua are well identified. It is therefore relatively easy to control the spectral range of these sources from the near ultraviolet (around 350 nm) to the infrared (2400 nm). These limits are in fact set by the losses possessed by silica beyond this zone. To extend this zone or generate supercontinua in other spectral ranges, it is imperative to use other materials. Recent work has shown that infrared supercontinua (1 μm to 4.2 μm) can be generated in fluorozirconate fibers