Chromato-axial memory effect in step index multimode fibers

TL;DR

This paper investigates the chromato-axial memory effect in step-index multimode fibers, providing a quantitative characterization, theoretical modeling, and experimental validation to improve light control in complex fiber systems.

Contribution

It introduces a quantitative analysis and theoretical model of the chromato-axial memory effect in step-index multimode fibers, supported by numerical simulations and experiments.

Findings

Quantitative characterization of the chromato-axial memory effect.

Development of a theoretical model matching experimental data.

Numerical simulations confirming the model's accuracy.

Abstract

Multimode fibers (MMF) are used in many applications from telecomunications to minimally invasive micro-endoscopic imaging. However, the numerous modes and their coupling make light-beam control and imaging a delicate task. To circumvent this difficulty, recent methods exploit priors about the transmission of the system, such as the so-called optical memory effect. Here, we quantitatively characterize a chromato-axial memory effect in step-index MMF, characterized through its slope $\delta z/\delta \lambda$ and its spectral and axial widths. We propose a theoretical model and numerical simulations in good agreement with experimental observations.