Abstract

The current interest in lightwave polarization developement and nonlinear optics has centred on birefringent single-mode fibers [1]. We consider circular core fibers supporting second order modes. In the linear case a natural polarization rotation phenomenon occurs [2] and we describe its development as nonlinear effects become important. We stress from the outset that no birefringence is assumed; polarization rotation is a distinctive waveguide effect due to continuous reflections at a cuurved core-cladding boundary.

© 1989 Optical Society of America