All-fiber few-mode interference for complex azimuthal pattern generation

Abstract

We report on an all-fiber setup capable of generating complex intensity patterns using interference of few guided modes. Comprised by a few-mode fiber (FMF) spliced to a multimodal interference (MMI) fiber device, the setup allows for obtaining different output patterns upon adjusting the phases and intensities of the modes propagating in the FMF. We analyze the output patterns obtained when exciting two family modes in the MMI device using different phase and intensity conditions for the FMF modal base. Using this simple experimental arrangement we are able to produce complex intensity patterns with radial and azimuthal symmetry. Moreover, our results suggest that this approach provides a means to generate beams with orbital angular momentum (OAM).