Numerical Estimation of Multimode Fiber Modes and Propagation Constants: 

Part 2: Bent Fibers 

We saw in the first part of the tutorial that the profiles and the propagation constants of the propagation modes of a straight multimode fiber can easily be avulated for an arbitrary index profile by inverting a large but sparse matrix. Under some approximations [1], a portion of fiber with a fixed radius of curvature satisfies a similar problem that can be solved with the same numerical tools, as we illustrate with the PyMMF Python module [2]. Moreover, when the modes are known for the straight fiber, the modes for a fixed radius can be approximate by inverting a square matrix of size the number of propagating modes [1]. It allows fast computation of the modes for different radii of curvature.

Numerical Estimation of Multimode Fiber Modes and Propagation Constants: 

Part 1: Straight Fibers

Under the weakly guided approximation, analytical solutions for the mode profiles of step-index (SI) and graded-index (GRIN) multimode fibers (MMF) can be found [1]. It also gives a semi-analytical solution for the dispersion relation in SI MMFs, and, by adding stronger approximations, an analytical solution for the parabolic profile GRIN MMFs [2] (note that those approximations do fail for lower order modes). An arbitrary index profile requires numerical simulations to estimate the mode profiles and the corresponding propagation constants of the modes. I present in this tutorial how to numerically estimate the scalar solution for the profiles and propagation constants of guides modes in multimode circular waveguide with arbitrary index profile and in the presence of bending. I released a beta version of the Python module pyMMF based on such an approach [3]. It relies on expressing the transverse Helmholtz equation as an eigenvalue problem. Solutions are found by finding the eigenvectors of a large but sparse matrix representing the equation on the discretized space.

Modes of step-index multimode fibers

Scattering media were the first type of "complex media" for which wavefront shaping techniques were applied. Quickly, applications were developed for multimode fibers as well. One can consider multimode fiber as a complex media; because of its inherent modal dispersion (different modes travel at different speeds) and also because of the possible coupling between modes, the output field of the fiber does not resemble its input one. Wavefront shaping in multimode fibers has had a fast development because of its applications in biomedical endoscopic imaging and for telecommunications, where the exploitation of the spatial modes in multimode fibers offers a promising way to increase data rates compared to single-mode fibers. 

I present here quickly the expression of the modes of a step-index multimode fiber and the so-called linearly polarized modes, that are convenient for manipulation using shaping techniques.

Maximally efficient imaging through multimode fiber

 Joel A. Carpenter

CLEO 2014, San Jose, CA, USA
Thursday, 12 June, 2014

Abstract:
Polarization diverse images are generated at the end of a multimode fiber using spatial light modulators to completely characterize propagation through the fiber in terms of the eigenmodes.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/CLEO_SI.2014.STh1H.3