Intermodal Brillouin scattering in solid-core photonic crystal fibers

TL;DR

This paper explores intermodal Brillouin scattering in solid-core photonic crystal fibers, demonstrating efficient mode conversion and analyzing mechanical modes and damping effects to enhance high-order optical mode interactions.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed investigation of intermodal Brillouin scattering in solid-core PCFs, highlighting mechanisms for improved mode interaction control.

Findings

Achieved a maximum gain coefficient of 21.4/W/km.

Observed polarization-dependent and independent Brillouin interactions.

Identified mechanical damping effects critical for fiber design.

Abstract

We investigate intermodal forward Brillouin scattering in a solid-core PCF, demonstrating efficient power conversion between the HE11 and HE21 modes, with a maximum gain coefficient of 21.4/W/km. By exploring mechanical modes of different symmetries, we observe both polarization-dependent and polarization-independent intermodal Brillouin interaction. Finally, we discuss the role of squeeze film air damping and leakage mechanisms, ultimately critical to the engineering of PCF structures with enhanced interaction between high order optical modes through flexural mechanical modes.