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Periodic microbending-induced core-to-cladding mode coupling in polarization-maintaining fibers
Chien-Hung Lin1, Qun Li, Henry P Lee
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA.
Optics Letters
|July 3, 2003
Summary
We demonstrate how periodic microbending in polarization-maintaining fibers causes polarization-dependent mode coupling. This effect can be used for advanced fiber optic devices and manufacturing.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Polarization-maintaining (PM) fibers are crucial for applications requiring stable light polarization.
- Controlling light propagation within optical fibers is essential for device development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate codirectional mode coupling induced by periodic microbending in PM fibers.
- To analyze the polarization dependence and coupling strength of this phenomenon.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing an acoustic flexural wave to induce microbending.
- Employing a pair of corrugated fixtures for periodic microbending.
- Measuring filtering spectra to analyze mode coupling.
Main Results:
- Observed strong polarization dependence in the measured filtering spectra.
- Found that coupling strength is dependent on the angle between fiber birefringence axes and bending direction.
Conclusions:
- Periodic microbending in PM fibers induces controllable, polarization-dependent mode coupling.
- The characterized effects offer potential for developing fiber polarizers, polarization-dependent-loss compensators, and alignment tools for PM fiber coupler manufacturing.