Abstract

It is possible to generate few-mode radiation patterns within single-mode optical fibers when the optical field's wavelength is slightly shorter than the fiber's cutoff wavelength. These few-mode radiation patterns may be suited for single fiber intrinsic interferometric sensor applications since the pattern is readily influenced by external perturbations acting on the fiber. In this paper we present a waveguide theory describing the magnitude and type of interaction between external fiber perturbations and the few-mode pattern propagating within the fiber.

© 1989 Optical Society of America