Programmable liquid-core fibers: Reconfigurable local dispersion control for computationally optimized ultrafast supercontinuum generation

The field of computationally controlled light faces a strong demand for new platforms capable of providing adaptable light generation to meet the requirements of advanced photonic technologies. Here, we present the concept of computationally optimized nonlinear frequency conversion in programmable liquid-core fibers that enables real-time tunable and reconfigurable nonlinear power distribution through computationally optimized dispersion landscapes. The concept combines a temperature-sensitive mode in a liquid-core fiber, particle swarm optimization, fission of ultra-fast solitons, and a computer-controlled heating array to create a feedback loop for controlling output spectra via local temperature-induced dispersion modulation. Experiments and simulations show significant improvements in spectral power density over multiple predefined intervals simultaneously and broadband improved spectral flatness, highlighting the robustness and adaptability of the system. Beyond supercontinuum generation, the platform offers broad applicability to phenomena such as harmonic generation, soliton dynamics, spectral filtering, and multimode and hybrid fiber systems, opening up exciting opportunities for fundamental research and advanced photonic technologies.