Ultrafast two-color all-optical transverse mode conversion in a graded-index fiber

We report on experimental conversion of picosecond probe pulses from the fundamental mode (LP01) to the next higher-order mode (LP11) by optically induced transient long-period gratings in a graded-index fiber using subpicosecond control pulses. In contrast to former experiments, the temporally synchronized control (1030 nm) and probe pulses (1250 nm) were easily distinguishable by their wavelengths, allowing for the first direct observation of such an ultrafast transverse mode conversion. Despite a nonperfect pulse duration ratio between control and probe pulses as well as an unavoidable excitation of unwanted higher-order modes, a clear energy conversion of 18% between the LP01-mode and the LP11-mode was observed at 2.3 times lower control pulse energies compared to previous experiments.