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Adiabatic higher-order mode microfibers based on a logarithmic index profile.
Optics Express
|July 17, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed low-loss higher-order mode (HOM) microfibers using logarithmic index profiles. These optical fibers enable adiabatic mode transitions and have applications in data transmission and optical sensing.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Optical fibers typically support a limited number of spatial modes.
- Achieving adiabatic transitions between higher-order modes (HOMs) in microfibers is challenging.
- Invariant mode field diameters are crucial for stable mode manipulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize higher-order mode (HOM) microfibers with logarithmic index profiles.
- To demonstrate adiabatic mode transitions in tapered microfibers.
- To explore the potential of HOM microfibers for advanced optical applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of microfibers with a waist diameter of approximately 2 µm using a logarithmic index profile.
- Characterization of insertion loss for LP01 and LP11 modes.
- Design and experimental validation of a 2x2 few-mode microfiber coupler.
Main Results:
- Achieved low insertion loss: <0.03 dB for LP01 mode and <0.11 dB for LP11 mode.
- Demonstrated invariant mode field diameters along tapered sections, enabling adiabatic mode transitions.
- Successfully fabricated and characterized a 2x2 few-mode microfiber coupler.
Conclusions:
- Logarithmic index profile microfibers offer a promising platform for low-loss HOM propagation and mode control.
- These HOM microfibers can be integrated into multi-channel systems, such as couplers.
- Potential applications include particle propulsion, atom trapping, optical sensing, and space-division multiplexed data transmission.
