Compact multi-Watt picosecond coherent white light sources using multiple-taper fibers.

The combination of a diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 picosecond laser source with tapered fibers allows the realization of a compact white light source with an average output power of up to 5.65 W. We generated supercontinua with a throughput of ~50% over a spectral range of up to 1140 nm by using a series of tapered fibers that were spliced together.