Experimental investigation of mode coupling in a multimode graded-index fiber caused by periodic microbends using computer-generated spatial filters

Abstract The results are described of an experimental investigation of mode coupling in a multimode graded-index fiber as a function of the periodic microbend amplitude. Computer-generated holograms were used as mode selecting spatial filters for measurements of the modal power distribution. The experimental data are in a good qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions. The results obtained may be helpful in the development of amplitude-type graded-index fiber sensors with high sensitivity.