Abstract

We propose and demonstrate the inscription of parallel long-period gratings (LPGs) in a few-mode fiber (FMF) using femtosecond lasers. Mode conversion from the fundamental (LP₀₁) mode to high-order core modes, including LP₁₁, LP₂₁, LP₃₁, LP₀₂, and LP₁₂, is achieved by controlling the inscription period of the gratings. Taking advantage of the highly focused femtosecond laser, LPGs with different off-axis offsets were fabricated, and the resonance wavelength and the inscription efficiency of the gratings versus the offset were investigated. Based on the off-axis writing technique and using the femtosecond laser source, we wrote parallel LPGs that contain multi-gratings in a single FMF and achieved a multi-channel core mode converter in a single FMF with flexibility in terms of the resonant wavelength and mode conversion among different modes. This approach offers a new, to the best of our knowledge, option for implementation with high integration, and a multi-channel mode converter, which could find potential applications in FMF multi-wavelength laser systems, and wavelength/mode division multiplex communication systems. Furthermore, these microstructured LPGs integrated into an optical fiber can be used as a multifunctional sensor.

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