arXiv subjects

Arash Mafi

Publications and source records attributed to Arash Mafi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Thermal Modeling, Heat Mitigation, and Radiative Cooling for Double-Clad Fiber Amplifiers

We report a detailed formalism aimed at the thermal modeling and heat mitigation in high-power double-clad fiber amplifiers. Closed form analytical formulas are developed that take into account the spatial profile of the amplified signal and pump in the double-clad geometry, the presence of the amplified spontaneous emission, and the possibility of radiative cooling due to anti-Stokes fluorescence emission. The formalism is applied to a high-power Yb-doped silica fiber amplifier. The contributions to the heat-load from the pump-signal quantum defect, as well as the pump and signal parasitic absorptions are compared to the radiative cooling. It is shown that for realistic cases, the local heat generation in kiloWatt-class fiber amplifiers is either dominated by the quantum defect or the parasitic absorption depending on the pump wavelength. In conventional designs, radiative cooling can be substantial only in properly designed amplifiers, when the pump power is tens of watts or lower, unless the parasitic absorption is reduced compared to the commonly reported values in the literature. We also explore the impact of the non-ideal quantum efficiency of the gain material. The developed formalism can be used to design fiber amplifiers and lasers for optimal heat mitigation, especially due to radiative cooling.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2017

Photon Pair Generation with Tailored Frequency Correlations in Graded-Index Multimode Optical Fibers

We study theoretically the generation of photon pairs with controlled spectral correlations via the four-wave mixing (FWM) process in graded-index multimode optical fibers (GIMFs). We show that the quantum correlations of the generated photons in GIMFs can be preserved over a wide spectral range for a tunable pump source. Therefore, GIMFs can be utilized as quantum-state-preserving tunable sources of photons. In particular, we have shown that it is possible to generate factorable two-photon states, which allow for heralding of single-photon pure-state photons without the need for spectral post filtering. We also elaborate on the possibility of simultaneously generating correlated and uncorrelated photon pairs in the same optical fiber.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Statistics of mode area for transverse Anderson localization in disordered optical fibers

We introduce the mode area probability density function (MA-PDF) as a powerful tool to study transverse Anderson localization (TAL), especially for highly disordered optical fibers. The MA-PDF encompasses all the relevant statistical information on TAL; it relies solely on the physics of the disordered system and is independent of the shape of the external excitation. We explore the scaling of MA-PDF with the transverse dimensions of the system and show that it converges to a terminal form for structures considerably smaller than those used in experiments, hence substantially reducing the computational cost to study TAL.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Random lasing in an Anderson localizing optical fiber

A directional random laser mediated by transverse Anderson localization in a disordered glass optical fiber is reported. Previous demonstrations of random lasers have found limited applications because of their multi-directionality and chaotic fluctuations in the laser emission. The random laser presented in this paper operates in the Anderson localization regime. The disorder induced localized states form isolated local channels that make the output laser beam highly directional and stabilize its spectrum. The strong transverse disorder and longitudinal invariance result in isolated lasing modes with negligible interaction with their surroundings, traveling back and forth in a Fabry-Perot cavity formed by the air-fiber interfaces. It is shown that if a localized input pump is scanned across the disordered fiber input facet, the output laser signal follows the transverse position of the pump. Moreover, a uniformly distributed pump across the input facet of the disordered fiber generates a laser signal with very low spatial coherence that can be of practical importance in many optical platforms including image transport with fiber bundles.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Apparent non-conservation of momentum of light due to strongly coupled nonlinear dynamics in a multimode optical fiber

The intimate interaction between phase-matched parametric amplification and strong nonlinear mode coupling in a multimode optical fiber results in a saturable spatial mode conversion that appears to violate the conservation of momentum. We investigate, by theory and experiment, this new regime of strong nonlinear interaction in multimode optical fibers and show that the appearance of the non-conservation of linear momentum is merely a clever sleight of hand by nature. This novel saturable mode conversion can potentially be used in a variety of applications including the generation of exotic quantum states of light.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

What is the right theory for Anderson localization of light?

Anderson localization of light is traditionally described in analogy to electrons in a random potential. Within this description the disorder strength -- and hence the localization characteristics -- depends strongly on the wavelength of the incident light. In an alternative description in analogy to sound waves in a material with spatially fluctuating elastic moduli this is not the case. Here, we report on an experimentum crucis in order to investigate the validity of the two conflicting theories using transverse-localized optical devices. We do not find any dependence of the observed localization radii on the light wavelength. We conclude that the modulus-type description is the correct one and not the potential-type one. We corroborate this by showing that in the derivation of the traditional, potential-type theory a term in the wave equation has been tacititly neglected. In our new modulus-type theory the wave equation is exact. We check the consistency of the new theory with our data using a field-theoretical approach (nonlinear sigma model).

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

A brief overview of the interplay between nonlinearity and transverse Anderson localization

This article presents a brief overview of the interplay between nonlinearity and Anderson localization of light, primarily in the context of transverse Anderson localization. The focus is on whether Anderson localization is preserved, enhanced, weakened, or destroyed in the presence of nonlinearity. Several recent experimental and theoretical results are highlighted and reviewed.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Spectral selectivity in capillary dye lasers

We explore the spectral properties of a capillary dye laser in the highly multimode regime. Our experiments indicate that the spectral behavior of the laser does not conform with a simple Fabry-Perot analysis; rather, it is strongly dictated by a Vernier resonant mechanism involving multiple modes, which propagate with different group velocities. The laser operates over a very broad spectral range and the Vernier effect gives rise to a free spectral range which is orders of magnitude larger than that expected from a simple Fabry-Perot mechanism. The presented theoretical calculations confirm the experimental results. Propagating modes of the capillary fiber are calculated using the finite element method (FEM) and it is shown that the optical pathlengths resulting from simultaneous beatings of these modes are in close agreement with the optical pathlengths directly extracted from the Fourier Transform of the experimentally measured laser emission spectra.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Design of a wavelength-tunable optical tweezer using a graded-index multimode optical fiber

A wavelength-tunable Optical Fiber Tweezer (OFT) based on a Graded Index Multimode Fiber (GIMF) with a flat endface is proposed. It is shown that the design can support a trapping position which is far from the tip of the GIMF compared with other common optical tweezing methods, hence reducing the possibility of a contact between the trapped particle and the fiber tip. Moreover, because of the wavelength dependence of the GIMF design parameters such the Numerical Aperture (NA), the trapping position can become wavelength-dependent. Therefore, the trapping position can be tuned over a long range using a common wave-length tunable laser. The proposed OFT differs from previous fiber-based demonstrations by using a flat-endface fiber making the fabrication and experiment quite easier than previously proposed tapered-endface OFTs.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Photon pair generation in multimode optical fibers via intermodal phase-matching

We present a detailed study of photon-pair generation in a multimode optical fiber via nonlinear four-wave mixing and intermodal phase-matching. We show that in multimode optical fibers, it is possible to generate correlated photon pairs in different fiber modes with large spectral shifts from the pump wavelength, such that the photon pairs are immune to contamination from spontaneous Raman scattering and residual pump photons. We also show that it is possible to generate factorable two-photon states exhibiting minimal spectral correlations between the photon pair components in conventional multimode fibers using commonly available pump lasers. It is also possible to simultaneously generate multiple factorable states from different FWM processes in the same fiber and over a wide range of visible spectrum by varying the pump wavelength without affecting the factorability of the states. Therefore, photon-pair generation in multimode optical fibers exhibits considerable potential for producing state engineered photons for quantum communications and quantum information processing applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Scaling analysis of transverse Anderson localization in a disordered optical waveguide

The intention of this manuscript is twofold. First, the mode-width probability density function (PDF) is introduced as a powerful statistical tool to study and compare the transverse Anderson localization properties of a disordered one dimensional optical waveguide. Second, by analyzing the scaling properties of the mode-width PDF with the transverse size of the waveguide, it is shown that the mode-width PDF gradually converges to a terminal configuration. Therefore, it may not be necessary to study a real-sized disordered structure in order to obtain its statistical localization properties and the same PDF can be obtained for a substantially smaller structure. This observation is important because it can reduce the often demanding computational effort that is required to study the statistical properties of Anderson localization in disordered waveguides. Using the mode-width PDF, substantial information about the impact of the waveguide parameters on its localization properties is extracted. This information is generally obscured when disordered waveguides are analyzed using other techniques such as the beam propagation method. As an example of the utility of the mode-width PDF, it is shown that the cladding refractive index can be used to quench the number of extended modes, hence improving the contrast in image transport properties of disordered waveguides.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Anderson localization in a partially random Bragg grating and a conserved area theorem

We investigate the gradual emergence of the disorder-related phenomena in intermediate regimes between a deterministic periodic Bragg grating and a fully random grating and highlight two critical properties of partially disordered Bragg gratings. First, the integral of the logarithm of the transmittance over the reciprocal wavevector space is a conserved quantity. Therefore, adding disorder merely redistributes the transmittance over the reciprocal space. Second, for any amount of disorder, the average transmittance decays exponentially with the number of grating layers in the simple form of $\exp(-ηN)$ for sufficiently large $N$, where $η$ is a constant and $N$ is the number of layers. Conversely, the simple exponential decay form does not hold for small $N$ except for a highly disordered system. Implications of these findings are demonstrated.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Transverse Anderson localization of light: a tutorial review

This tutorial review gives an overview of the transverse Anderson localization of light in one and two transverse dimensions. A pedagogical approach is followed throughout the presentation, where many aspects of localization are illustrated by means of a few simple models. The tutorial starts with some basic aspects of random matrix theory, and light propagation through and reflection from a random stack of dielectric slabs. Transverse Anderson localization of light in one- and two-dimensional coupled waveguide arrays is subsequently established and discussed. Recent experimental observations of localization and image transport in disordered optical fibers are discussed. More advanced topics, such as hyper-transport in longitudinally varying disordered waveguides, the impact of nonlinearity, and propagation of partially coherent and quantum light, are also examined.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Light focusing in the Anderson Regime

Anderson localization is a regime in which diffusion is inhibited and waves (also electromagnetic waves) get localized. Here we exploit adaptive optics to achieve focusing in disordered optical fibers in the Anderson regime. By wavefront shaping and optimization, we observe the generation of a propagation invariant beam, where light is trapped transversally by disorder, and show that Anderson localizations can be also excited by extended speckled beams. We demonstrate that disordered fibers allow a more efficient focusing action with respect to standard fibers in a way independent of their length, because of the propagation invariant features and cooperative action of transverse localizations.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Observation of migrating transverse Anderson localizations of light in nonlocal media

We report the experimental observation of the interaction and attraction of many localized modes in a two dimensional (2D) system realized by a disordered optical fiber supporting transverse Anderson localization. We show that a nonlocal optically nonlinear response of thermal origin alters the localization length by an amount determined by the optical power and also induces an action at a distance between the localized modes and their spatial migration. Evidence of a collective and strongly interacting regime is given.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Design considerations for multi-core optical fibers in nonlinear switching and mode-locking applications

We explore the practical challenges which should be addressed when designing a multi-core fiber coupler for nonlinear switching or mode-locking applications. The inevitable geometric imperfections formed in these fiber couplers during the fabrication process affect the performance characteristics of the nonlinear switching device. Fabrication uncertainties are tolerable as long as the changes they impose on the propagation constant of the modes are smaller than the linear coupling between the cores. It is possible to reduce the effect of the propagation constant variations by bringing the cores closer to each other, hence, increasing the coupling. However, higher coupling translates into a higher switching power which may not be desirable in some practical situations. Therefore, fabrication errors limit the minimum achievable switching power in nonlinear couplers.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Nonlinear switching in a concentric ring core chalcogenide glass optical fiber for passively mode-locking a fiber laser

We propose an all-fiber mode-locking device which operates based on nonlinear switching in a novel concentric ring core fiber structure. The design is particularly attractive given the ease of fabrication and coupling to other components in a mode-locked fiber laser cavity. The nonlinear switching in this coupler is studied and the relative power transmission is obtained. The analysis shows that this nonlinear switch is practical for mode-locking fiber lasers and is forgiving to fabrication errors.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Image transport through a disordered optical fiber mediated by transverse Anderson localization

Transverse Anderson localization of light allows localized optical-beam-transport through a transversely-disordered and longitudinally-invariant medium. Its successful implementation in disordered optical fibers recently resulted in the propagation of localized beams of radii comparable with that of conventional optical fibers. We present what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first demonstration of optical image transport using transverse Anderson localization of light. The image transport quality obtained in the polymer disordered optical fiber is comparable with or better than some of the best commercially available multicore image fibers with less pixelation and higher contrast. It is argued that considerable improvement in image transport quality can be obtained in a disordered fiber made from a glass matrix with near wavelength-size randomly distributed air-holes with an air-hole fill-fraction of $50\%$. Our results open the way to device-level implementation of the transverse Anderson localization of light with potential applications in biological and medical imaging.

physics.optics↗