Single mode propagation in fibers and rods with large leakage channels
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An optical fiber for propagating at least one lower order mode having a wavelength, λ
- , while limiting propagation of higher order modes having a wavelength, λ
, by providing said higher order modes with a higher loss than said at least one lower order mode at said wavelength, λ
, said optical fiber comprising;
a first cladding region comprising one or more cladding features; and
a core region surrounded by the said first cladding region, said cladding features configured to substantially confine propagation of said lower order modes to said core region, said core region having a width of at least about 20 micrometers, wherein said core region is configured to provide a loss for said higher order modes of at least about 0.5 dB.
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Abstract
Various embodiments include large cores fibers that can propagate few modes or a single mode while introducing loss to higher order modes. Some of these fibers are holey fibers that comprising cladding features such as air-holes. Additional embodiments described herein include holey rods. The rods and fibers may be used in many optical systems including optical amplification systems, lasers, short pulse generators, Q-switched lasers, etc. and may be used for example for micromachining.
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Citations
79 Claims
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1. An optical fiber for propagating at least one lower order mode having a wavelength, λ
- , while limiting propagation of higher order modes having a wavelength, λ
, by providing said higher order modes with a higher loss than said at least one lower order mode at said wavelength, λ
, said optical fiber comprising;
a first cladding region comprising one or more cladding features; and
a core region surrounded by the said first cladding region, said cladding features configured to substantially confine propagation of said lower order modes to said core region, said core region having a width of at least about 20 micrometers, wherein said core region is configured to provide a loss for said higher order modes of at least about 0.5 dB. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 24)
- , while limiting propagation of higher order modes having a wavelength, λ
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28. An optical fiber for propagating at least one lower order mode having a wavelength, λ
- , while limiting propagation of higher order modes having a wavelength, λ
, by providing said higher order modes with a higher loss than said at least one lower order mode at said wavelength, λ
, said optical fiber comprising;
a first cladding region comprising one or more cladding features configured to form a partially enclosed region, said partially enclosed region having at least one opening therein formed by one or more spaces in said partially enclosed region, said one or more features having a maximum feature size, d, and a maximum bridge width, a, said maximum bridge width in part determining the size of said one or more spaces in said partially enclosed region; and
a core region surrounded by the said first cladding region, said cladding features configured to substantially confine propagation of said lower order modes to said core region, wherein said maximum bridge width, a, and said maximum feature size, d, have respective values that yield a ratio of a/λ
that is at least about 5 and a ratio of d/λ
that is at least about 10 thereby providing an increased effective core size, confinement of said at least one lower order mode, and reduction of said higher order modes. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
- , while limiting propagation of higher order modes having a wavelength, λ
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58. An optical rod for propagating at least one lower order mode having a wavelength, λ
- , while limiting propagation of higher order modes having a wavelength, λ
, by providing said higher order modes with a higher loss than said at least one lower order mode at said wavelength, λ
, said optical rod comprising;
a first cladding region comprising one or more cladding features; and
a core region surrounded by the said first cladding region, said cladding features configured to substantially confine propagation of said lower order modes to said core region, said core region having a width of at least about 20 micrometers, wherein said core region is configured to provide a loss for said higher order modes of at least about 0.5 dB. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62)
- , while limiting propagation of higher order modes having a wavelength, λ
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67. A holey waveguide rod, comprising:
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a ceramic or crystalline laser material;
at least one core region in said ceramic or crystalline laser material, said core region being bounded by features surrounding said core region; and
at least one cladding region in said ceramic or crystalline laser material, said features disposed within the physical extent of said cladding region. - View Dependent Claims (68, 69)
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70. A method of manufacturing a holey waveguide rod amplifier, comprising:
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providing a ceramic or crystalline laser material;
forming at least one air hole configured to form a core region in said ceramic or crystalline laser material, said core region being bounded by said at least one air hole, said at least one air hole comprising a cladding region in said ceramic or crystalline laser material.
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75. An optical fiber for propagating at least one lower order modes having a wavelength, λ
- , while limiting propagation of higher order modes having a wavelength, λ
, by providing said higher order modes with a higher loss than said at least one lower order mode at said wavelength, λ
, said optical fiber comprising;
a cladding; and
a core, said core region having a width of at least about 20 micrometers, wherein said fiber is configured such that (i) the at least one lower order mode has no more than 1.0 db of loss at a bending radius of at 30 centimeters and (ii) said higher order modes have a loss of at least 0.5 dB. - View Dependent Claims (76, 77, 78, 79)
- , while limiting propagation of higher order modes having a wavelength, λ
Specification