Competition Between Intermodal Modulation Instability and Kerr Beam Self-cleaning in Graded-index Multimode Fiber

TL;DR

This study demonstrates how Kerr-induced self beam-cleaning in graded-index multimode fibers suppresses intermodal modulation instability peaks, enabling broadband spectra with cleaner spatial profiles at high pump powers.

Contribution

It reveals the interplay between self beam-cleaning and modulation instability, showing how nonlinear mode coupling can suppress instability peaks and improve spectral quality.

Findings

Self beam-cleaning reshapes output beam profiles into cleaner shapes.

Intermodal modulation instability peaks diminish beyond certain pump powers.

High pump powers can generate broadband spectra free of instability peaks.

Abstract

We report the suppression of intermodal modulation instability peaks as a consequence of Kerr induced self beam-cleaning in a 90m long graded-index multimode optical fiber under various specific launching conditions. The output spectrum and the modal beam profiles for three modes (LP01, LP11, and LP21) have been recorded for several values of pump pulse energy. Experimental findings establish that the nonlinear coupling among the guided modes leads to reshaping the output speckle pattern into a bell shape or higher-order spatially clean beam profile as the pump peak power increases, whereas in spectral-domain intermodal modulation instability peaks are observed whose amplitude increases gradually to its maximum value and beyond certain threshold power, the intermodal modulation instability peaks diminish. This suggests the possibility to generate intermodal modulation instability free broadband spectra at high pump peak powers.