Beam shaping of a broad-area laser diode using 3D integrated optics.

This work clarified various multimode fiber configurations with spatial continuous wave lasers based different coding configurations for high speed fiber systems. The optimum lighted power form after linear index multimode fibers versus spectral wavelength is clarified. The optimum lighted form power after parabolic index multimode fibers versus spectral wavelength is demonstrated. The max lighted form power after measured index multimode fibers versus spectral wavelength is illustrated. Optimum lighted form signal power variations after linear index multimode fibers versus time are demonstrated. The max optimum form signal band form power after parabolic index multimode fibers versus time is indicated. The max optimum lighted signal power after measured index multimode fibers versus time is clarified. Total lighted signal power form after linear index multimode fibers is demonstrated. The total lighted signal power form after parabolic index multimode fibers is clarified. Total lighted power signal form after measured index multimode fibers is clarified. Max optimum signal electrical power form amplitude after PIN photodetector based various index multimode fibers is simulated and studied. Total lighted base form power against MMF length for different proposed optical multimode fibers is studied. Signal base band per noise form ratio against MMF length for different base proposed band optical multimode fibers is demonstrated. Total signal form electrical band power against MMF length for different proposed optical multimode fibers is observed. Max Q base band factor form against MMF length for different base band proposed lighted multimode fibers is clarified.

Multimode silica step-index optical fibers are examined for use in planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) for combustion diagnostics using ultraviolet (UV) laser sources. The multimode step-index fibers are characterized at UV wavelengths by examining their energy damage thresholds and solarization performance. The beam quality achievable with large clad step-index multimode fibers is also studied. Emphasis is placed on simultaneously achieving high output energy and beam quality (low output M(2)). The use of multimode fibers to deliver UV pulses at 283 nm for PLIF measurements of OH radicals in a Hencken burner is demonstrated. The fiber delivery capability of UV light will benefit combustion diagnostics in hostile environments, such as augmentor and combustor rigs.

For several decades silica-based optical fibres have been used for telecommunication and sensor purposes. The single-mode fibre is frequently employed in long-distance networks, whereas the multi-mode fibre is the preferred means of signal transport in campus and in-building networks. Because of the huge bandwidth of optical fibres in comparison to its electrical wireless and copper-based counterparts, the demand for optical fibres keeps increasing. In a competitive market, fibre manufacturers aim to produce ever better fibres that are as cheap and easy to employ as possible. As fibre research, development and manufacturing is a mature discipline, improvements in fibre design can only be achieved through the construction of robust, accurate and efficient numerical fibre models for the computation of those quantities that determine the behaviour of the fibre. We have developed a modular software code, based on Maxwell’s equations, to compute these quantities in a vectorial full-wave way for both single-mode and multi-mode optical fibres. Key is the refractive-index profile, or, more specifically, the dopant profile, as it defines the propagation, splicing and bending-loss characteristics of the fibre. For the single-mode fibre, the fibre quantities that we have concentrated on are dispersion, dispersion slope, mode-field diameter, effective area, bending loss, effective and theoretical cut-off wavelength and MAC-value. We highlight one fibre quantity in particular, viz. the computation of the bending loss in a single-mode fibre. Many approximate modelling techniques have been developed to estimate this loss in a fast way. Our numerical scheme, however, is the first rigorous one, as we have performed a vectorial full-wave analysis of the bent optical fibre. In this context, triple integrals involving products of Bessel functions with large, complex order and argument appear. Due to cancellations in the pertaining computation, a high relative accuracy is needed for the computation of each product. As a result, it takes weeks on a contemporary computer to compute the bending loss as a function of the radius of curvature. We have used the vectorial full-wave bending-loss results to determine the most appropriate approximate method. Subsequently, we have extended that approximate method to compute the bending losses of higher-order modes, since the required effective cut-off wavelength depends on the bending loss of the first higher-order mode. The selected approximate method has been used in the ensuing bending-loss calculations. Since the fibre properties are often conflicting, it is a challenging task to adapt the radial dopant profile to meet a set of predefined design goals. A design goal is a combination of desired values for (some of) the aforementioned fibre quantities, and can mathematically be translated into a cost function. The minimisation of this cost function provides us with the optimal dopant profile for that specific set. For the single-mode fibre, we have performed this minimisation for piecewise-linear profiles, by employing various global and gradient-based local optimisation strategies to speed up the design step considerably. Frequently,these optimisation strategies lead to counter-intuitive dopant profile designs that could not have been contrived otherwise. We have selected a deliberate mix of several optimisation routines and have compared their performances. Perhaps the most important conclusion is that there still appears to be room for improvement in the design of the radial dopant profile of commercially available fibres. For the multi-mode fibre, vectorial full-wave optimisation is not feasible yet because of the long computation times for the large number of propagating modes. Still, our numerical scheme allows for a manual fine-tuning of the popular power-law profile to minimise differential mode delay. Further, we have included mode coupling and differential mode attenuation in our model to obtain intensity patterns that match closely with measurements. We have also analysed the influence of profile variations, e.g. on-axis dips and kinks, on the intensity pattern. A selective excitation of different mode groups in a multi-mode fibre, offers the possibility to create several independent transmission channels, and thus a higher information capacity. Recently, the feasibility of this so-called mode group diversity multiplexing technique has been demonstrated. Simulations provide us with a means to better understand its operation and possibly increase its efficiency. The channel separation may be enhanced by employing a lens between the fibre and the detector, which is called mode-selective spatial filtering. Our numerical simulations of a mode group diversity multiplexing link, with and without mode-selective spatial filtering, are in agreement with the measurements. The above discussion makes clear that the developed software code has a wide range of applicability. Moreover, it is built in a modular way and thus extensions, like the inclusion of more fibre quantities or different profile dopants, are straightforward.

The thirst for bandwidth in telecommunications networks is becoming ever larger due to bandwidth hungry applications such as video-on-demand. To further increase the bandwidth capacity, engineers are now seeking to imprint information on the last remaining degree of freedom of the lightwave carrier – space. This has given rise to the field of Space Division Multiplexing (SDM). In essence, the concept of SDM simple; we aim to use the different spatial modes of an optical fibre as multiplexed data transmission channels. These modes could either be in the form of separate singlemodes in a multicore optical fibre, individual spatial modes of a multimode fibre, or indeed the individual spatial modes of a multimode multicore optical fibre. Regardless of the particular “flavour” of SDM in question, it is clear that significant interfacing issues exist between the optical fibres used in SDM and the conventional single-mode planar lightwave circuits that are essential to process the light (e.g. arrayed waveguide gratings and splitters), and efficient interconnect technologies will be required. One fabrication technology that has emerged as a possible route to solve these interconnection issues is ultrafast laser inscription (ULI), which relies on the use of focused ultrashort laser pulses to directly inscribe three-dimensional waveguide structures inside a bulk dielectric. In this paper, I describe some of the work that has been conducted around the world to apply the unique waveguide fabrication capabilities of ULI to the development of 3D photonic components for applications in SDM.

A step index multimode optical fiber with a perturbation on a micrometer scale, inducing a periodic deformation of the fiber section along its propagation axis, is theoretically investigated. The studied microperturbation is mechanically achieved using two microstructured jaws squeezing the straight fiber. As opposed to optical fiber microbend sensors, the optical axis of the proposed transducer is not bended; only the optical fiber section is deformed. Further, the strain applied on the fiber produces a periodical elliptical modification of the core and a modulation of the index of refraction. As a consequence of the micrometer scale perturbation period, the resulting mode coupling occurs directly between guided and radiated modes. To simulate the transmission induced by these kinds of perturbations, simplified models considering only total mode couplings are often used. In order to investigate the range of validity of this approximation, results are compared to the electromagnetic mode couplings rigorously computed for the first time, to our knowledge, with a large multimode fiber (more than 6000 linear polarized modes) using the Marcuse model. In addition, in order to have a more complete modeling of the proposed transducer, the anisotropic elasto-optic effects in the stressed multimode fiber are considered. In this way, the transmission of the microperturbed optical fiber transmission and, therefore, the behavior of the transducer are physically explained and its applications as a future stretching sensor are discussed.

Summary form only given. Many applications require high power good beam quality lasers with fiber delivered output. Very often, the necessary powers are above the damage threshold and nonlinear effects threshold of single mode (SM) fibers. This may be overcome by two approaches. A first approach is to use either large mode area fibers or photonic crystal fibers (PCFs), which have a very large and nearly SM cores. Nevertheless, this approach is limited by the achievable nearly SM core size, which is 40 μm for a flexible PCF. A second possible approach is to impose a Gaussian mode in a highly multimode (MM) step-index fiber with very large core diameter. In this approach, it was found that in passive highly MM fibers the fundamental mode can be maintained over short distances (~20 cm) in the case of straight fibers [1], or over longer distances in the case of coiled fibers [2]. Additionally, off-centered coupling of the fundamental mode into highly MM (100-400 μm core diameter), 2 m long, passive fibers was studied [4], along with its effect on the output beam quality [3]. Finally, SM excitation in active MM fibers, as means for achieving high quality output in an amplifier configuration, was also reported [2].Additionally, offcentered coupling of the fundamental mode into highly MM (100-400 m core diameter), 2 m long, passive fibers was studied [4], along with its effect on the output beam quality [3]. Finally, SM excitation in active MM fibers, as means for achieving high quality output in an amplifier configuration, was also reported [2]. Here we experimentally investigate propagation of the fundamental mode in highly MM passive and active fibers. We resorted to well controlled, free-space coupling of a Gaussian beam to the MM fiber, instead of tapering or other complex ways of mode coupling. The experimental setup in the case of a passive fiber consists of a 1 μm CW Gaussian seed source, coupling optics, and a commercially available highly MM passive fiber with 50 μm core diameter and 0.15 numerical aperture (NA). This fiber supports ~200 spatial modes and can handle almost 1 MW of peak power. The measured effect of the fiber length and coiling radius on the beam quality (M2) is shown in Fig 1 (left). As evident, the beam quality improves with larger coiling radius and with shorter fiber length. In addition, a clear minimum of the M2 parameter (<;1.2) is observed at a coiling radius of 7.5 cm for all fiber lengths. This demonstrates fundamental mode propagation in highly passive MM fiber for more than 15 m without significant degradation. In the case of an active double-clad fiber, the experimental setup is similar but includes a 2 m long fiber and a pump source with suitable coupling optics in a counter propagating pump configuration. In these experiments our active fiber is extremely MM (supports ~340 spatial modes), with 140 μm core diameter and 0.07 NA, which can handle up to 7.5 GW peak power. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest active core diameter that was used for preservation and amplification of the fundamental mode. Our experimental results, which are presented in Fig. 1 (right), show successful preservation of the fundamental mode in this fiber with M2<;2. Additionally, the amplification results show some degradation in beam quality with increasing pump power that corresponds to the increase in amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). Since the fundamental mode field diameter is significantly smaller than the active core diameter, highly multimode ASE is generated, degrading the beam quality. A more detailed discussion as well as additional experimental results will be presented.

A comparison is made between the use of single and multimode optical fibers in a homodyne quasi-elastic light scattering experiment using simple optical hardware. The single-mode fiber is used without a spatial filter and gives a larger signal-to-noise ratio and counting rate than a multimode fiber with a spatial filter.

Highly nonlinear effects are observed in graded-index multimode optical fibres. Multimode fibres are of interest for next-generation telecommunications systems and the construction of high-energy fibre lasers. However, relatively little work has explored nonlinear pulse propagation in multimode fibres. Here, we consider highly nonlinear ultrashort pulse propagation in the anomalous-dispersion regime of a graded-index multimode fibre. Low modal dispersion and strong nonlinear coupling between the fibre's many spatial modes result in interesting behaviour. We observe spatiotemporal effects reminiscent of nonlinear optics in bulk media—self-focusing and multiple filamentation1,2—at a fraction of the usual power. By adjusting the spatial initial conditions, we generate on-demand, megawatt, ultrashort pulses tunable between 1,550 and 2,200 nm; dispersive waves over one octave; intense combs of visible light; and a multi-octave-spanning supercontinuum. Our results indicate that multimode fibres present unique opportunities for observing new spatiotemporal dynamics and phenomena. They also enable the realization of a new type of tunable, broadband fibre source that could be useful for many applications.

Data center (DC) and high performance computing (HPC) applications have traditionally used a combination of copper, multimode fiber and single-mode fiber interconnects with relative percentages that depend on factors such as the line rate, reach and connectivity costs. The balance between these transmission media has increasingly shifted towards optical fiber due to the reach constraints of copper at data rates of 10 Gb/s and higher. The percentage of single-mode fiber deployed in the DC has also grown slightly since 2014, coinciding with the emergence of mega DCs with extended distance needs beyond 100 m. This trend will likely continue in the next few years as DCs expand their capacity from 100G to 400G, increase the physical size of their facilities and begin to utilize silicon-photonics transceiver technology. However there is a still a need for the low-cost and high-density connectivity, and this is sustaining the deployment of multimode fiber for links ≤ 100 m. In this paper, we discuss options for single-mode and multimode fibers in DCs and HPCs and introduce a reduced diameter multimode fiber concept which provides intra-and inter-rack connectivity as well as compatibility with silicon-photonic transceivers operating at 1310 nm. We also discuss the trade-offs between single-mode fiber attributes such as bend-insensitivity, attenuation and mode field diameter and their roles in capacity and connectivity in data centers.

Fiber optic sensors offer a high-performance alternative because they provide a low-cost solution, resistance to electromagnetic interference, multiplexing capabilities, and high integration. The performance of fiber optic sensors applies to measuring physical parameters such as pressure, bending, and temperature. This study aims to determine the optimal value of using optical fiber types in landslide early detection sensors. The method used is bending in the form of deflection on the optical fiber. The deflection values used are 0 mm - 15 mm, 0 mm - 20 mm, and 0 mm - 25 mm. The optical fiber is placed horizontally in the middle of the bending tool. This bending affects the deflection of the optical fiber, resulting in the attenuation of light in the optical fiber. The deflection phenomenon results in light attenuation in the optical fiber. The sensitivity level of a single-mode fiber optic sensor is higher than a multimode. It shows the greater linearity value in each deflection treatment. Single-mode optical fiber linearity data on deflection variations of 0 - 15 mm, 0 - 20 mm, and 0 - 25 mm, respectively, are 0.9833, 0.9871, and 0.9847. At the same time, the linearity data of multimode optical fiber is 0.8926, 0.9841, and 0.9687. Single-mode optical fiber is more sensitive than multimode optical fiber. It is caused by the core diameter of single-mode optical fiber, which is much smaller than that of multimode optical fiber. The difference in core diameter results in differences in light propagation in the optical fiber. The small diameter of the core has a low dispersion level so that more light intensity is reflected into the core. Light attenuation occurs in a single-mode optical fiber due to macro bending treatment. Meanwhile, the attenuation of light in Multimode fiber optics is due to the bending and dispersion of light. Therefore, a landslide early detection sensor design is more optimal by using a single-mode optical fiber.

The high coupling-efficiency fiber coupled diode laser module is obtained by beam shaping. The wavelength of the CW diode laser bar is 976 nm, and five bars are collimated by a fast axis collimation lens. Then the beams are transformed and collimated by slow axis collimation optics. Then all the beams are combined in space, and focused into a multimode fiber (400 m core diameter, the numerical aperture (NA) is 0.22). Experimental results show that the laser output from fiber could reach 327 W, and the coupling-efficiency is more than 93.6%. Experimental results demonstrate that this module lays a foundation for multi-wavelength, polarization beam combining and the high beam quality, high coupling efficiency diode laser module with CW thousands watts class output power can be developed.

Self-cleaning effect in an all-fiber spatiotemporal mode-locked laser based on graded-index multimode fiber

In this work we report on a novel optical design for beam shaping and focalization of high-power diode laser bars. The goals of our study are: the increase the optical throughput of the beam shaping device with respect to standard solutions and either to enhance the irradiance on a target or to inject the laser beam into a smaller fibre than with respect to beam shaping system based on plane surfaces. The high power diode laser bars pose serious difficulties in their optical handling due to their strong difference between the two transverse axes, which induce a strong astigmatic and asymmetric output radiation. As is well known, the beam quality is very different in the two axes called slow axis and fast axis, and in particular the slow axis is composed by the superposition of several multimodal sources. The beam quality in this axis is very low (its etendue may exceed 2000 mm mrad). On the other hand, the fast axis has a very high beam quality, near diffraction limited, although with very high divergence (30°-50°). The common solution for the application of the laser radiation is a fast axis aspheric micro lens in front of the emitters, in order to achieve its collimation. Typical values of the fast axis collimated beam are 0.7mm and less than 6mrad. However, the so obtained collimated beam is poorly focusable with a standard lens, and a few methods were proposed to overcome the problem. The more relevant solutions include: the stepped mirror technique, the plane parallel mirrors pair, micro prisms array and confocal micro lens array. Each of these techniques is based on the equalization of the beam parameter product by the subdivision of the beam in the slow axis and its reshaping. For all these techniques the efficiency spans from 50% to 70%. The best focalization results allow the coupling in a fibre of 400μm diameter, with NA-0.22. The aim of this work is the design and the realization of a new device, that is considered as target the following aspects: 1) the maximum optical efficiency in the beam shaping process, 2) the optimal equalization of the beam parameter product for the two axes, 3) the use of few optical elements and 4) a very compact size. These goals are addressed by a scheme that splits the collimated beam from the laser diode into different portions while the length of the optical paths of each sub element is kept constant, and by the subsequent use of short focal length aspheric lenses for the focalization of the transformed beam. Each sub-beam is deflected by a couple of plane parallel mirrors, whose normal is directed to equalize the BPP without any mutual shadowing. An optimal solution can be easily envisaged for a laser source of common size of 0.7 x 10 mm. The condition on equal optical path length has the noticeable property of placing the virtual position of the individual portions into which the original beam is split at the same distance with respect to target. Thanks to this, their subsequent focusing is unaffected by the axial displacement of the common solution by the stepped mirrors. In fact, to correct this effect, this latter technique requires the use of a prism pair, involving complexity, size enlargement and higher costs. In this work both an extensive ray tracing and optical analysis is presented as well as the experimental characterization of an experimental model. Moreover, we also report on the technique for the realization of th tilted-face plane mirrors of which is composed our beam shaping device. The scheme of beam shaping here reported can be extended to higher power beam by means of the technique of the beam combination by polarization coupling or that of the optical beam compression. Examples of theses developments are discussed in the paper, and experimental results presented. The most direct applications of the class of optical devices here reported are the high power diode laser direct application in material processing or manufacturing, the coupling into multimode optical fiber of the diode laser radiation as well as the fiber laser end pumping.

The main objectives of this paper is to improve knowledge of multimode fiber transmission over step-index plastic optical fiber SI POF with 1000 μm core. The thick SI POF fibers seem a very attractive alternative in local computer networks for the “classic” (thin) single- and multimode fibers because of their low price and easy installation. In the paper we show measurements of bandwidth and attenuation of various SI POF optical paths. In particular, there was investigated a cascade of passive components (couplers, patchcords) which can be part of transparent (passive) optical networks. Keywords : plastic optical fibre, passive optical network, multimode coupler. 1. INTRODUCTION Recently there has been publish a number of papers concerning optical data transfer over plastic optical fiber [1][2]. Both point-to-point and WDM passive network configurations are considered. The concept of passive network is well known as it comes to the access networks based on single mode fiber. Such networks were proposed in several standards (APON, BPON networks). Commercial solution have been developed and deployed since. We would like to extend benefits of this network type to home networks based on multimode optical fiber. We consider such networks as a viable solution of the optical home network architecture. Along with a multimode optical cable only multimode compatible elements (couples/splitters, connectors, etc.) may be used in the network. Once deployed the upgrade of such a network should be relatively easy. Unlike to the single mode PON where the bandwidth is not an issue, the multimode network maximum operational range is defined by the fiber bandwidth (related to the intermodal dispersion) rather than by the fiber attenuation [3]. The relation among the modal bandwidth of the fiber, the launching condition and mode coupling is fairly well known for silica GI optical fibers (

Room temperature operated hydrogen sensor using palladium coated on tapered optical fiber