Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Optical Pulse Propagation in Multimode Fibers

Dr. Frank Wise, Department of Applied Physics at Cornell University

Goergen 101

Abstract:

Optical fibers designed to support multiple transverse modes offer opportunities to study wave propagation in a setting that is intermediate between single-mode fiber and free-space propagation. However, few experimental studies of nonlinear pulse propagation in multimode fiber have been reported. A variety of qualitatively-new phenomena have been observed recently in multimode fibers. Self-cleaning of a multimode beam is observed at a fraction of the critical power for self-focusing. New instabilities, which are spatiotemporal in nature, occur. By varying the launched spatial modes, it is possible to generate megawatt ultrashort pulses tunable between 1550 and 2200 nm, dispersive waves over one octave in frequency, intense combs of visible light, or continua that span multiple octaves. Very recently, locking or synchronization of many transverse and longitudinal modes (spatiotemporal mode-locking) has been demonstrated. A couple of these new phenomena will be presented along with their connection to multimode soliton dynamics. Possible directions for studies of new nonlinear wave physics in multimode fibers will be discussed along with potential applications.

Bio:

Frank Wise received a BS in Engineering Physics from Princeton University, an MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, and a PhD in Applied Physics from Cornell University. Before PhD studies, he worked on advanced integrated circuits at Bell Laboratories. Since receiving the PhD in 1988, he has been on the faculty in Applied Physics at Cornell. His group has efforts in nonlinear optical pulse propagation and semiconductor nanostructures.

Location: Goergen 101

Refreshments will be served.