Excitation Of Higher-order Modes Research Articles

Control of higher-order cladding mode excitation with tailored femtosecond-written long period fiber gratings.

We report on the detailed investigation of the core to cladding mode coupling in femtosecond-written long period fiber gratings (LPFG). It is shown that the excitation of higher-order cladding modes with strong selectivity and high precision is possible. The coupling behavior of several gratings, as well as its dependence on the modified core cross-section, is determined theoretically and confirmed experimentally by its spectral response. The presented tool paves the way for a completely new class of tailored LPFGs for different fiber integrated devices.

Voltage-Driven Near Field Beam Shifting in an InP Photonic Integrated Circuit

A voltage-driven, continuously-tuned beam shifting device is proposed, simulated, and demonstrated in an InP photonic integrated circuit. Electrodes are applied on the left and right side of a mode-expanded waveguide to electronically control the refractive index profile and shift the optical beam by means of reverse bias voltage. The feasibility of a beam shifting of 4.9 μm with a power consumption of the order of 4.5 pW and voltage of 10 V is numerically predicted for a beam shifting element with ideal electrical isolation and fundamental input mode excitation. The reduction in beam-shifting efficiency is subsequently quantified for imperfect electrical isolation and in the presence of higher order mode excitation at the input to the beam shifting element. An experimental proof of concept is implemented by realizing the device on a generic photonic integration platform and co-integrating an on-chip tunable laser. High-resolution near-field measurements show near-field beam shifting of 1 μm with an applied voltage range from -4 to 0 V.

In-situ real-time monitoring of spurious modes in HE11 transmission lines using multi-hole couplers in miter bends

Transmission of high-power millimeter waves for ECRH is often realised with oversized corrugated circular waveguides. Coupling from the gyrotron source to the waveguide is typically done via matching mirrors in free space. Small alignment errors of the system lead to the excitation of higher-order modes inside the waveguide beside the main transmission mode HE11. Those modes have comparably higher losses and can in worst case result in local fields exceeding the breakdown limit of the medium inside the waveguide. For alignment control over the whole pulse duration of the gyrotron, a set of hole-array couplers placed into a miter bend mirror probes the field inside the waveguide. The arrays are designed to detect the marker modes for beam offset and tilt (LP(e=o)11 )as well as for beam waist mismatch (LP02). In addition, a main mode coupler sensitive mostly for the HE11 content is used as a power monitor. By maximizing the signal of the power monitor and minimizing the content of marker modes, a first-order optimization of the coupling from free space to the waveguide can be achieved. Signal processing of the 140 GHz information is done at kHz range after downmixing, using a frequency shifted part of the power monitor signal. As the measurement system is placed in a miter bend mirror, it can also be easily installed at various locations along the transmission line to check for possible misalignments of the waveguide connections between miter bends. Simulation and low power experimental results will be shown.

Numerical methods of mode selection in continuous-wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy

In continuous-wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CW-CRDS), the measurement sensitivity is seriously affected by the multimode excitations in the ring-down cavity. The using of an intracavity aperture is a common way to restrain the excitation of high-order modes, thus leading the laser power to additionally lose and the signal-to-noise ratio to degrade. In this paper, two numerical methods, named “trigger threshold method” and “curve fitness method”, are proposed for selecting the mode in which the decays excited by the high-order modes can be removed. The laser coupling efficiency between the incident laser and the oscillating fundamental or high-order modes is studied in a misadjusted ring-down cavity. It is found that with a misadjusted ring-down cavity, the laser energy is partially coupled into the high-order modes, and the coupling energy increases with the extent of the cavity misadjustment increasing. In this case, the ring-down decaying traces excited by these high-order modes are different from and much shorter than those excited by the fundamental mode, which are respectively called “bad decays” and “good decays” in this paper. Both the fundamental mode and the high-order modes can reach the threshold in the case of low triggering threshold selection and result in the components of both good and bad decays in the output ring-down curves. When the trigger threshold rises, the bad decays are effectively restrained by the deficient coupling into the high-order modes. Thus raising the trigger threshold is an effective method to restrain bad decays for the mode selection. Another approach is to consider the time spent on turning off the laser injection since the fitting goodness of good decays is better than that of bad decays. In this paper this characteristic is also used to separate the good decays from the bad ones. These two methods are demonstrated in the CW-CRDS experiments. The results show that the sensitivity of the CW-CRDS instrument can be greatly improved by one order of magnitude in the trigger threshold method with the minimum of Allan deviations gradually approaching to a constant, while the acquisition rate of the ring-down decays slows down with the increase of the trigger threshold. The results also explain the relationship between single sampling and averaged sampling, which presents an answer to the question about the sequence choice between averaging and fitting. A numerical model is proposed to estimate the probability of good decays versus the trigger threshold, which can be used to choose appropriate trigger threshold for CW-CRDS experiment. The applicable conditions and the limitations of these two methods in CW-CRDS for trace gas detection are also discussed in the paper.

Validation of the low-velocity impact damage prediction through analytical scaling

The analytical scaling method for low-velocity impact permits an efficient application of impact analysis through high-fidelity numerical simulation. Structural impact scenarios can be analyzed on a small damage-prone section, called reference coupon. An analytical spring-mass model transfers the damage result from the reference coupon to the structural level. In this article, we investigate the validity of that scaling method. A large set of experimental impact scenarios forms the basis to identify the capabilities of scaled impact analysis. In a further critical assessment, we identify the corresponding limitations. These mainly concern the geometry of the impact configurations – the damage can shift its mode when the impact occurs close to supported edges or stiffening elements. Besides, the experimental results indicate an increased uncertainty from the reference impact to the total all scaled impact scenarios. Furthermore, the impact analysis through quasistatic scaling entails a systematic bias. Smaller damage than expected occurs in several cases. The excitation of higher-order vibration modes explains this observed bias. An initial value problem of the impact configuration allows conducting a modal energy correction. This energy correction explains the systematically too small size of scaled impact damage.

Excitation of higher-order modes in optofluidic photonic crystal fiber.

Higher-order modes up to LP33 are controllably excited in water-filled kagomé- and bandgap-style hollow-core photonic crystal fibers (HC-PCF). A spatial light modulator is used to create amplitude and phase distributions that closely match those of the fiber modes, resulting in typical launch efficiencies of 10-20% into the liquid-filled core. Modes, excited across the visible wavelength range, closely resemble those observed in air-filled kagomé HC-PCF and match numerical simulations. Mode indices are obtained by launching plane-waves at specific angles onto the fiber input-face and comparing the resulting intensity pattern to that of a particular mode. These results provide a framework for spatially-resolved sensing in HC-PCF microreactors and fiber-based optical manipulation.

Propagation of surface plasmon modes through discontinuities.

Based on the electromagnetic equations, we have reinvestigated the propagation of a surface plasmon mode on a metal-dielectric interface with a discontinuity. Our rigorous study of the boundary conditions illustrates a mismatch between the normal components of the wavevectors of the fundamental plasmon modes, which results in the excitation of higher order modes. Furthermore, analytical relations based on the plane wave expansion method reveal the existence of radiation modes above the surface and at the vicinity of discontinuity. If these modes are not included, the boundary conditions are not satisfied. This phenomenon, which has not been considered in previous works, is also demonstrated by numerical simulations.

Switchable Dual-Wavelength Cylindrical Vector Beam Generation From a Passively Mode-Locked Fiber Laser Based on Carbon Nanotubes

Cylindrical vector beams (CVBs) with axial symmetry in both polarization and field intensity have attracted much attention because of their unique optical properties. Conventional methods to obtain CVBs including direct modulation of light beams in free space and high-order mode excitation by offset splicing single-mode fiber with few-mode fiber usually works at single wavelength with rather narrow bandwidth. Here, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, we demonstrate switchable dual-wavelength CVB generation from a passively mode-locked fiber laser using carbon nanotubes as saturable absorber for mode-locking and a home-made mode-selective coupler as both mode converter and birefringence filter. In experiments, the mode-locked fiber laser delivers CVB pulses of dual-wavelength (1532.5 nm and 1555.5 nm) and corresponding single wavelength with duration of hundreds of femtosecond, respectively. Moreover, the output polarization status is switchable between radially and azimuthally polarized states. The mode-locked CVBs with wavelength and polarization flexibility may have potential applications in mode-division multiplexing optical fiber communication, nanoparticle manipulation, material processing, nonlinear optics, and so on.

Higher-order cladding mode excitation of femtosecond-laser-inscribed tilted FBGs.

We study the modal behavior of plane-by-plane femtosecond laser fabricated tilted fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). The focus is on the differential strain and temperature sensitivities between the cladding mode resonances of an nth grating order and those of the (n-i)th orders (with i=1-n), which are collocated in the same wavelength range. Whereas the Bragg mode exhibits an axial strain sensitivity of 1.2pm/μϵ, we experimentally show that the strain sensitivity of ultrahigh-order cladding modes is negative and at -1.99 pm/μϵ in the same spectral window. Using a finite element mode solver, the modal refractive index value is computed to be well below 1, thus confirming that these modes, in reality, are leaky modes.

Resonant Gas Sensor and Switch Operating in Air With Metal-Organic Frameworks Coating

We demonstrate a resonant gas sensor uniformly coated with a metal-organic framework (MOF) and excited near the second vibration mode for enhanced sensitivity. The possibility of realizing a smart switch triggered upon exceeding a threshold mass is demonstrated when operating the resonator near the dynamic pull-in instability. The resonator is based on an electrostatically excited clamped–clamped microbeam. The microbeam is fabricated from a polyimide layer coated from top with Cr/Au and from bottom with Cr/Au/Cr layer. The geometry of the resonator is optimized to reduce the effect of squeeze film damping, thereby allowing operation under atmospheric pressure. The electrostatic electrode is designed to enhance the excitation of the second mode of vibration with the minimum power required. Significant frequency shift in kilohertz is demonstrated for the first time upon water, acetone, and ethanol vapor exposure due to the MOF functionalization and the higher order mode excitation. The adsorption dynamics and MOF selectivity are investigated by studying the decaying time constants of the response upon gas exposure. [2017–0218]

Dynamics of Nonlinear Excitation of the High-Order Mode in a Single-Mode Step-Index Optical Fiber

This work is concerned with approximate model of higher-order mode nonlinear excitation in a singlemode silica optical fiber. We present some results of simulation for step-index optical fiber under femtosecond optical pulse launching, which confirm ability of relatively stable higher-order mode excitation in such singlemode optical fiber over sufficiently narrow range of launched optical power variation.

Finite element modeling of trolling-mode AFM

Trolling mode atomic force microscopy (TR-AFM) has overcome many imaging problems in liquid environments by considerably reducing the liquid-resonator interaction forces. The finite element model of the TR-AFM resonator considering the effects of fluid and nanoneedle flexibility is presented in this research, for the first time. The model is verified by ABAQUS software. The effect of installation angle of the microbeam relative to the horizon and the effect of fluid on the system behavior are investigated. Using the finite element model, frequency response curve of the system is obtained and validated around the frequency of the operating mode by the available experimental results, in air and liquid. The changes in the natural frequencies in the presence of liquid are studied. The effects of tip-sample interaction on the excitation of higher order modes of the system are also investigated in air and liquid environments.

Resonant excitation of high order modes in the 3.9 GHz cavity of the Linac Coherent Light Source

Construction of the Linac Coherent Light Source II (LCLS-II) is underway for the world's first hard x-ray free-electron laser. A central part of the LCLS-II project is a 4 GeV superconducting radio frequency electron linac that will operate in the continuous wave (cw) mode. The linac is segmented into four sections named as $L0$, $L1$, $L2$, and $L3$. Two 3.9 GHz cryomodules, each housing of eight third-harmonic cavities similar to the cavities developed for the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL), will be used in section $L1$ of the linac for linearizing the longitudinal beam profile. In this paper, we present a study of trapped high order modes (HOMs) excited by a cw electron beam in the third-harmonic cavities of the LCLS-II linac. A detailed comparison of the original XFEL design and the LCLS-II design with a modified end group is performed in order to estimate the effect of a reduced beam pipe aperture on the efficiency of HOM damping. Furthermore, we apply a statistical analysis of the eigenmode spectrum for the estimation of the probability of resonant HOM losses and influence of HOMs on beam dynamics.

Annular Apertures in Metallic Screens as Extraordinary Transmission and Frequency Selective Surface Structures

A 2-D periodic array of annular apertures (or ring slots) is studied using an accurate circuit model. The model accounts for distributed and dynamic effects associated with the excitation of high-order modes operating above or below cutoff but not far from their cutoff frequencies. This paper allows to ascertain the substantial differences of the underlying physics when this structure operates as a classical frequency selective surface or in the extraordinary-transmission (ET) regime. A discussion of two different designs working at each regime is provided by means of the equivalent circuit approach (ECA), full wave simulation results, and experimental characterization. The agreement between the equivalent circuit calculation applied here and the simulation and experimental results is very good in all the considered cases. This validates the ECA as an efficient minimal-order model and a low computational-cost design tool for frequency selective surfaces and ET-based devices. Additional scenarios such as oblique incidence and parametric studies of the structural geometry are also considered.

Nonlinear coupled vibration of electrostatically actuated clamped–clamped microbeams under higher-order modes excitation

Nonlinear modal interactions have recently become the focus of intense research in micro-resonators for their use to improve oscillator performance and probe the frontiers of fundamental physics. Understanding and controlling nonlinear coupling between vibrational modes is critical for the development of advanced micromechanical devices. This article aims to theoretically investigate the influence of antisymmetry mode on nonlinear dynamic characteristics of electrically actuated microbeam via considering nonlinear modal interactions. Under higher-order modes excitation, two nonlinear coupled flexural modes to describe microbeam-based resonators are obtained by using Hamilton’s principle and Galerkin method. Then, the Method of Multiple Scales is applied to determine the response and stability of the system for small amplitude vibration. Through Hopf bifurcation analysis, the bifurcation sets for antisymmetry mode vibration are theoretically derived, and the mechanism of energy transfer between antisymmetry mode and symmetry mode is detailed studied. The pseudo-trajectory processing method is introduced to investigate the influence of external drive on amplitude and bifurcation behavior. Results show that nonlinear modal interactions can transit vibration energy from one mode to nearby mode. In what follows, an effective way is proposed to suppress midpoint displacement of the microbeam and to reduce the possibility of large deflection. The quantitative relationship between vibrational modes is also obtained. The displacement of one mode can be predicted by detecting another mode, which shows great potential of developing parameter design in MEMS. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

Excitation of higher order modes in total transmission by zero index metamaterials with embedded defects

A zero index metamaterial can be applied to perfect transmission or perfect reflection. In this paper we theoretically present a strategy of microwave transmission through a zero-index metamaterial waveguide loaded with defects. By simply adjusting the geometric and electromagnetic properties of the defects, higher modes can be excited in the total transmission or total reflection. To do so, a waveguide with two and three defects is considered and studied and the properties of defects are calculated from an analytical procedure. The results show excitation of higher modes in total transmission and reflection of waveguide.

Higher-order micro-fiber modes for Escherichia coli manipulation using a tapered seven-core fiber

Optical manipulation using optical micro- and nano-fibers has shown potential for controlling bacterial activities such as E. coli trapping, propelling, and binding. Most of these manipulations have been performed using the propagation of the fundamental mode through the fiber. However, along the maximum mode-intensity axis, the higher-order modes have longer evanescent field extensions and larger field amplitudes at the fiber waist than the fundamental mode, opening up new possibilities for manipulating E. coli bacteria. In this work, a compact seven-core fiber (SCF)-based micro-fiber/optical tweezers was demonstrated for trapping, propelling, and rotating E. coli bacteria using the excitation of higher-order modes. The diameter of the SCF taper was 4 µm at the taper waist, which was much larger than that of previous nano-fiber tweezers. The laser wavelength was tunable from 1500 nm to 1600 nm, simultaneously causing photophoretic force, gradient force, and scattering force. This work provides a new opportunity for better understanding optical manipulation using higher-order modes at the single-cell level.

Necessary conditions for nonlinear excitation of a high-order mode in a single-mode optical fiber

The necessary conditions for nonlinear excitation of higher-order modes in a single-mode step-index optical fiber are analyzed. The cutoff conditions for such an optical waveguide are investigated taking into account Kerr nonlinearity. The minimal power of optical pulses required for fulfilling the necessary conditions for nonlinear excitation of higher-order modes in a single-mode step-index fiber is calculated as a function of the normalized frequency. The allowed ranges of variation of the normalized frequency and optical-radiation power are estimated. It is demonstrated that the conditions necessary for nonlinear excitation of a higher-order mode in a step-index single-mode optical fiber can be created for optical pulses shorter than 500 fs.

Tunable sub-gap radiation detection with superconducting resonators

We have fabricated planar amorphous indium oxide superconducting resonators ( K) that are sensitive to frequency-selective radiation in the range of 7–10 GHz. Those values lay far below twice the superconducting gap that is worth about 200 GHz. The photon detection consists in a shift of the fundamental resonance frequency. We show that the detected frequency can be adjusted by modulating the total length of the superconducting resonator. We attribute those observations to the excitation of higher-order resonance modes. The coupling between the fundamental lumped and the higher order distributed resonance is due to the kinetic inductance nonlinearity with current. These devices, that we have called sub-gap kinetic inductance detectors, are to be distinguished from the standard kinetic inductance detectors in which quasi-particles are generated when incident light breaks down Cooper pairs.

Efficient Excitation of Higher Order Modes in the Plasmonic Response of Individual Concave Gold Nanocubes

Recently, concave nanocube (CNC) shaped metal nanoparticles (MNPs) with high index facets have drawn special attention due to their high chemical activity and large electromagnetic (EM) field enhancements, making them good candidates for multifunctional platforms. However, most of the previously published works focused on the plasmonic properties of silver simple nanocubes of smaller dimension, i.e., within the quasi-static limit, hardly supporting efficient excitation of high-order plasmonic modes. Site-selective electron beam excitation of individual Au CNC particles gives rise to simultaneous excitation of edge and corner localized surface plasmon (LSP) modes. We show that spatial variation of the radiative modes is strongly localized at the corners and extended along the edges of the top surface of the CNCs. Extensive finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) numerical analysis reveals that the substrate-induced plasmon hybridization leads to the activation of corner octupolar and corner quadrupolar LSP mo...