Acousto-optic polarization-dependent mode coupling in a dual-mode hollow optical fiber

Abstract

We demonstrated unique polarization dependence in acousto-optic coupling in a two-mode hollow optical fiber (HOF). Local deformation of circular HOF induced by traveling acoustic wave resulted in highly birefringent optical transmission characteristics, which were experimentally analyzed for various central air-hole sizes. Potential applications for polarization-dependent devices such as polarization-dependent loss compensators and broadband polarization controllers are discussed. (C) 2007 Optical Society of America