Comparison of principal modes and spatial eigenmodes in multimode optical fibre. Issue 1 (13th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carpenter, Joel; Eggleton, Benjamin J.; Schröder, Jochen
• Is Part Of: Laser & photonics reviews. Volume 11:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2016-12-13
• Subjects: multimode optical fibre -- light scattering -- mulimode optical waveguides -- fiber propagation; Lasers -- Periodicals; Photonics -- Periodicals; Lasers -- Périodiques; Photonique -- Périodiques; 621.36
• DOI: 10.1002/lpor.201600259
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1863-8880

Abstract

Abstract : This work investigates the spatial and temporal properties of light propagation in multimode optical fibre by comparing all 420 of a fibre's spatial eigenmodes and principal modes. It is common to think about light propagation in fibre in terms of spatial eigenmodes, however in this paper the authors show that in real fibres with mode coupling, the principal modes are a more meaningful basis. Abstract: Optical waveguide theory is an established part of optical physics. Yet only recently have fundamental phenomena such as spatial eigenmodes and principal modes been demonstrated experimentally. This work leverages recently developed techniques enabling detailed spatiotemporal characterisation of multimode fibre to provide new insights into the fundamentals of fibre propagation. This paper presents detailed analysis of all 420 of a fibre's principal modes and spatial eigenmodes and compares the similarity and differences between these two phenomena. It was found that even over very short lengths, the principal modes can not only significantly suppress modal dispersion but are also a more physically meaningful basis than spatial eigenmodes.