title: Mode competition in high power fiber amplifiers.
abstract: Using a beam propagation model of Yb3+ doped, CW fiber amplifiers we show that gain saturation by a strong fundamental mode significantly suppresses the growth of higher order modes with parallel polarization, but enhances the growth of higher order modes with perpendicular polarization. We quantify this effect in straight and bent fibers, with full core or restricted area doping.
authors.affiliation: AS-Photonics, LLC, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87112, USA. arlee.smith@as-photonics.com
authors.forename: Arlee V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jesse J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Smith