Harnessing the vector modes of multimode optical fibers

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Optical fibers have had a profound impact on civilization by making the Internet revolution possible and, more recently, by opening new forays as remote sensors, illumination sources, biomedical probes and optical tweezers, among others. Light propagation in optical fibers is mediated by spatial modes. The classical scalar modes, although representing approximate descriptions, are still primarily used today because of its adequate accuracy for most applications that depend on singlemode fibers. Beneath this monotonous landscape lies a teeming diversity of vector modes supported by multimode fibers. Vector modes represent the true modes of an optical fiber, but have been largely disregarded so far due to technological limitations in their selective excitation, propagation and detection. Recent advances on all fronts have brought the prospect of harnessing the vector modes towards transformative science and photonic technologies. This is the stated long-term aim of this proposal. More specifically, the proposal identifies three main objectives to follow:***     -  Investigate the underlying fundamental science that governs the behavior and properties of vector modes in multimode fibers***     -  Develop advanced methods for the excitation, characterization, modulation and detection of vector modes***     -  Develop novel multimode fiber designs, material compositions and photonic components engineered for the precise steering and shaping of vector modes******In order to push forward the science of vector modes we need to find new ways to selectively excite, propagate and shape the vector modes by taking advantage of the many light-matter interactions available. The program identifies four promising angles of research to pursue along with clear paths of investigation for each:****     A)  Specialty multimode fibers***     B)  Optoelectronic interactions***     C)  Magneto-optical and magneto-physical interactions***     D)  Acousto-optic interactions***The first goal of this proposal is the creation, at the end of a five-year plan, of a state-of-the-art internationally recognized research laboratory at the forefront of the science of vector modes and their applications. The key notion behind this proposal is that vector modes represent the basic building blocks with which all the possible ways of shaping light propagation in optical fibers can be devised. By conducting research in vector modes we thus improve our understanding and control of light-matter interactions in optical fibers on the most fundamental level. This important realization opens the prospect of groundbreaking scientific discoveries and for using special optical fibers in a multiplicity of modalities and applications not imagined before. This leads us to the second long-term goal of the proposal which is the transfer of the generated science and methods towards practical uses in industry and medicine, and their leverage in neighboring spheres of science.**