Higher order mode propagation in an optical nanofiber

Abstract The propagation of higher modes, such as the LP 11 mode, in optical nanofibers using the exponentially tapered optical fiber as a basic model is investigated. In order to preserve the LP 11 mode in the downtaper as far as the nanofiber waist, the effect of varying the cladding-core radius ratio on the LP 11 adiabatic criterion is modeled. A Laguerre–Gaussian beam is created in free space using a spatial light modulator (SLM) and coupled to a few-mode fiber. This device allows convenient switching between the fundamental and LP 11 fiber modes. By selecting a few-mode fiber with a relatively low cladding-core ratio, the propagation of the LP 11 mode down to a submicron waist has been maintained. Furthermore, by observing the transmission profile during tapering, it is possible to decisively terminate the pulling process in order to eliminate the two degenerate HE 21 modes of the LP 11 mode. As a result, a nanofiber can be fabricated through which only the TE 01 and TM 01 components of the LP 11 mode propagate. Such a nanofiber has promising applications in the area of mode interference for controlled particle trapping sites.

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