Modal energy transfer by thermally induced refractive index gratings in Yb-doped fibers

Thermally induced refractive index gratings in Yb-doped fibers lead to transverse mode instability(TMI)above an average power threshold,which represents a severe problem for many applications.To obtain a deeper understanding of TMI,the evolution of the strength of the thermally induced refractive index grating with the average output power in a fiber amplifier is experimentally investigated for the first time.This investigation is performed by introducing a phase shift between the refractive index grating and modal interference pattern,which is obtained by applying a pump power variation to the fiber amplifier.It is demonstrated that the refractive index grating is sufficiently strong to enable modal energy coupling at powers that are significantly below the TMI threshold if the induced phase shift is sufficiently large.The experiments indicate that at higher powers,the refractive index grating becomes more sensitive to such phase shifts,which will ultimately trigger TMI.Furthermore,the experimental results demonstrate beam cleaning above the TMI threshold via the introduction of a positive phase shift.This finding paves the way for the development of a new class of mitigation strategies for TMI that are based on controlling the phase shift between the thermally induced refractive index grating and modal interference pattern.

GOBO projection for 3D measurements at highest frame rates: a performance analysis

Aperiodic sinusoidal patterns that are cast by a GOBO(GOes Before Optics)projector are a powerful tool for optically measuring the surface topography of moving or deforming objects with very high speed and accuracy.We optimised the first experimental setup that we were able to measure inflating car airbags at frame rates of more than 50 kHz while achieving a 3D point standard deviation of~500μm.Here,we theoretically investigate the method of GOBO projection of aperiodic sinusoidal fringes.In a simulation-based performance analysis,we examine the parameters that influence the accuracy of the measurement result and identify an optimal pattern design that yields the highest measurement accuracy.We compare the results with those that were obtained via GOBO projection of phase-shifted sinusoidal fringes.Finally,we experimentally verify the theoretical findings.We show that the proposed technique has several advantages over conventional fringe projection techniques,as the easy-to-build and cost-effective GOBO projector can provide a high radiant flux,allows high frame rates,and can be used over a wide spectral range.