Evolution of the long-wavelength edge of supercontinuum (SC) in a large mode-area photonic crystal fiber (LMA PCF) under extreme
(close to the fiber damage threshold) picosecond excitation is analyzed for the first time to our knowledge. The obtained
results are interpreted on the basis of the numerical simulations explaining both spectral and temporal characteristics of
SC in dependence on the pulse power and the fiber length. An existence of the minimum LMA PCF length providing the broadest
spectrum under the highest picosecond excitations is predicted. The multimode cross-modulation inside the LMA PCF is analyzed,
as well.
Keywords Photonic crystal fiber - Supercontinuum - Nonlinear optics - Optical solitons
PACS 42.72.Ai - 42.65.Sf - 42.65.Tg