Experimental observation of mid-infrared higher-order soliton fission in a tapered tellurite microstructured optical fiber

The evolution of mid-infrared (MIR) higher-order soliton fission in a tapered tellurite microstructured optical fiber (TMOF) is experimentally investigated. From ~30 to 80 mW, the redshift of the first fundamental soliton is obvious. From ~80 to 120 mW, two fundamental solitons are obtained by the fission of higher-order solitons. The redshift of the first fundamental soliton almost stops because the increased pump power is preferentially distributed to the second fundamental soliton. From ~120 to 180 mW, an obvious redshift of the first fundamental soliton is observed again, and a third fundamental soliton is obtained at ~180 mW. The evolution of each soliton is determined by the power distribution, which is, to the best of our knowledge, reported for the first time.