In our recent Letter 1 a numerical error was introduced in the calculation of the gain G 0. The values of the gain G 0 given in Figs. 2 and 3 should be multiplied by a factor of 5 to yield the correct values. Since this results in a gain that is even larger than that given in the Letter, it by no means alters the discussed ideas and conclusions.

We present a novel method for maximizing signal gain in continuously pumped silicon-waveguide Raman amplifiers made with silicon-on-insulator technology. Our method allows for pump-power depletion during Raman amplification and makes use of a variational technique. Its use leads to a system of four coupled nonlinear differential equations, whose numerical solution provides the optimal axial pro...

A novel method is presented to design the configuration of pumping lasers of Raman amplifiers using a multi-objective particle swarm optimizer. The goal is to obtain the pump laser wavelengths and powers that maximize the amplifier on-off gain, while maintaining the flatness of the gain over the used bandwidth. We used an algorithm called Multiple Objective Particle Swarm Optimization with Crow...

The application of modulation instability-initiated nonlinear broadening of two CW pumps at different wavelengths, in order to achieve superior gain ripple performance in broadband Raman amplifiers, is demonstrated for the first time experimentally. A particular example using Truewave and LEAF fibers is offered, in which the 0.1 dB gain ripple band is extended from 5 nm to 19 nm. Experimental r...

We demonstrate coherent Raman spectroscopy (CRS) using a tunable excitation source based on a single femtosecond fiber laser. The frequency difference between the pump and the Stokes pulses was generated by soliton self-frequency shifting in a nonlinear optical fiber. Spectra of C─H stretches of cyclohexane were measured simultaneously by stimulated Raman gain (SRG) and coherent anti-Stokes Ram...

Femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS) is an emerging molecular structural dynamics technique for functional materials characterization typically in the visible to near-IR range. To expand its applications we have developed a versatile FSRS setup in the ultraviolet region. We use the combination of a narrowband, ~400 nm Raman pump from a home-built second harmonic bandwidth compressor...

We describe a subluminal laser which is extremely stable against perturbations. It makes use of a composite gain spectrum consisting of a broad background along with a narrow peak. The stability of the laser, defined as the change in frequency as a function of a change in the cavity length, is enhanced by a factor given by the group index, which can be as high as 10 for experimentally realizabl...

Traditionally, molecules are analyzed in a test tube. Taking biochemistry as an example, the majority of our knowledge about cellular content comes from analysis of fixed cells or tissue homogenates using tools such as immunoblotting and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. These tools can indicate the presence of molecules but do not provide information on their location or interaction wit...

We present a theoretical model capable of describing the evolution of pulse parameters when stimulated Raman scattering under continuous-wave pumping is employed for amplifying them inside a silicon waveguide. In our approach, pulse evolution is described analytically by a set of coupled equations derived using a variational formalism. Optical losses resulting from linear absorption or scatteri...