Abstract

We develop and experimentally verify a theory of evolution of polarization in artificially-disordered multi-mode optical fibers. Starting with a microscopic model of photo-induced index change, we obtain the first and second order statistics of the dielectric tensor in a Ge-doped fiber, where a volume disorder is intentionally inscribed via UV radiation transmitted through a diffuser. A hybrid coupled-power & coupled-mode theory is developed to describe the transient process of de-polarization of light launched into such a fiber. After certain characteristic distance, the power is predicted to be equally distributed over all co-propagating modes of the fiber regardless of their polarization. Polarization-resolved experiments, confirm the predicted evolution of the state of polarization. Complete mode mixing in a segment of fiber as short as ~ 10cm after 3.6dB insertion loss is experimentally observed. Equal excitation of all modes in such a multi-mode fiber creates the conditions to maximize the information capacity of the system under e.g. multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) transmission setup.

Department(s)

Physics

Keywords and Phrases

Fibers; Germanium; Optical Fibers; Ultraviolet Radiation; Birefringent Optical Fiber; Characteristic Distance; Coupled-mode Theory; Dielectric Tensors; Ge-doped Fibers; Microscopic Models; Multimodes; Multiple-input-multiple-output; Photo-induced; Second Order Statistics; State Of Polarization; Theory Of Evolution; Transient Process; Polarization

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-1557529565

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1094-4087

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2012 Optical Society of American (OSA), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Feb 2012

Download

Full Text Link

Included in

Physics Commons

Share

 
COinS