Selective excitation of different combinations of LP01 and LP11 polarization modes in a birefringent optical fiber using a Wollaston prism.

ABSTRACT

We present an effective method for free-space selective excitation of different combinations of LP01 and LP11 polarization modes in a birefringent optical fiber using a Wollaston prism, rotatable polarizer, and achromatic half-wave plate. The method is minimally wavelength-dependent and can be used for high-power sources. The relative coupling efficiencies of different modes can be continuously tuned and the suppression rate of the unwanted modes with respect to the targeted mode exceeds 20 dB. We present input system configurations that allow for the excitation of different individual modes and groups of modes and estimate the maximum coupling efficiencies based on numerical simulations. As example applications, we show the generation of Raman sidebands in different modes, gain tunability of intermodal four-wave mixing, and broadband conversion of a supercontinuum light beam from the fundamental to the LP11 mode.