Statistical analysis of nonlinear coupling in a WDM system over a two mode fiber.

We study the effect of nonlinear coupling in a WDM configuration over a two-mode fiber. A statistical analysis is presented that takes into account the effect of the random phase-sensitive amplification or depletion. Our results show high nonlinear coupling between the modes. We have quantified the channel power fluctuations, due to the wave phase random variations, at the output of the fiber. We also investigate the effect of random linear mode coupling on the nonlinear mode coupling.

Encoding information using Laguerre Gaussian modes over free space turbulence media.

We experimentally demonstrate an efficient information transmission technique using Laguerre Gaussian (LG) modes. This technique is based on multiplexing and demultiplexing multiple LG modes with different azimuthal and radial components. At the reception, the initially sent modes encoding the information are extracted with high fidelity using a complete decomposition allowing to identify a particular mode from a set of modes within a unique iteration. Importantly, we investigate the effects of the atmospheric turbulence on the proposed communication system. We believe that the proposed technique is promising for high-bit-rate spatial division multiplexing in optical fiber and free space communication systems.

Rigorous study of supercontinuum generation in few mode fibers.

We numerically studied supercontinuum (SC) generation in a few-mode photonic crystal fiber (PCF). We have shown the impact of the intermodal nonlinear effects that could limit the fundamental mode nonlinear propagation due to the coupling induced by high-order optical modes. We have demonstrated an accurate modeling of the SC generation into the multimode PCF by solving the multimode generalized nonlinear Shrödinger equation (MM-GNLSE). Our detailed investigation of the dynamics of the intermodal nonlinear effects on the SC process confirms the energy transfer between optical degenerate modes during propagation inside the few-mode PCF.

Optical communication beyond orbital angular momentum.

Mode division multiplexing (MDM) is mooted as a technology to address future bandwidth issues, and has been successfully demonstrated in free space using spatial modes with orbital angular momentum (OAM). To further increase the data transmission rate, more degrees of freedom are required to form a densely packed mode space. Here we move beyond OAM and demonstrate multiplexing and demultiplexing using both the radial and azimuthal degrees of freedom. We achieve this with a holographic approach that allows over 100 modes to be encoded on a single hologram, across a wide wavelength range, in a wavelength independent manner. Our results offer a new tool that will prove useful in realizing higher bit rates for next generation optical networks.

Detection of Bessel beams with digital axicons.

We propose a simple method for the detection of Bessel beams with arbitrary radial and azimuthal indices, and then demonstrate it in an all-digital setup with a spatial light modulator. We confirm that the fidelity of the detection method is very high, with modal cross-talk below 5%, even for high orbital angular momentum carrying fields with long propagation ranges. To illustrate the versatility of the approach we use it to observe the modal spectrum changes during the self-reconstruction process of Bessel beams after encountering an obstruction, as well as to characterize modal distortions of Bessel beams propagating through atmospheric turbulence.

Soliton-self compression in highly nonlinear chalcogenide photonic nanowires with ultralow pulse energy.

We design As2Se3 and As2S3 chalcogenide photonic nanowires to optimize the soliton self-compression with short distances and ultralow input pulse energy. We numerically demonstrate the generation of single optical cycle in an As2S3 photonic nanowire: a 5.07 fs compressed pulse is obtained starting from 250 fs input pulse with 50 pJ in 0.84 mm-long As2S3 nanowire. Taking into account the high two photon absorption (TPA) coefficient in the As2Se3 glass, accurate modeling shows the compression of 250 fs down to 25.4 fs in 2.1 mm-long nanowire and with 10 pJ input pulse energy.

Accurate measurement of the cutoff wavelength in a microstructured optical fiber by means of an azimuthal filtering technique.

A simple self-referenced nondestructive method is proposed for measuring the cutoff wavelength of microstructured optical fibers (MOFs). It is based on the analysis of the time-dependent optical power transmitted through a bow-tie slit rotating in the far-field pattern of the fiber under test. As a first demonstration, the cutoff wavelength of a 2 m MOF sample is found to be close to that provided by numerical predictions (approximately 25 nm higher). Because of the high dynamics of the measurement, the uncertainty is limited to Dlambda= +/-10 nm.