Broadband single-mode operation of standard optical fibers by using a sub-wavelength optical wire filter.
We report the use of a sub-wavelength optical wire (SOW) with a specifically designed transition region as an efficient tool to filter higher-order modes in multimode waveguides. Higher-order modes are effectively suppressed by controlling the transition taper profile and the diameter of the sub-wavelength optical wire. As a practical example, single-mode operation of a standard telecom optical fiber over a broad spectral window (400 approximately 1700 nm) was demonstrated with a 1microm SOW. The ability to obtain robust and stable single-mode operation over a very broad range of wavelengths offers new possibilities for mode control within fiber devices and is relevant to a range of application sectors including high performance fiber lasers, sensors, photolithography, and optical coherence tomography systems.
Jung
Yongmin
Y
Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. ymj@orc.soton.ac.uk
Brambilla
Gilberto
G
Richardson
David J
DJ
D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008027:Light; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D055100:Optical Fibers; D012542:Scattering, Radiation