Absorption efficiency of graded-index double-clad fiber lasers

Absorption efficiency of graded-index double-clad fiber lasers or amplifiers is analyzed. As ray optics method is no longer valid for graded-index case, the mode analysis method is used. Calculated results show that absorption efficiency for a graded-index is higher than that for a step-index in symmetric case. In offset core case, the graded-index can achieve the same absorption efficiency with much smaller offset distance. Absorption efficiencies for different graded-index profiles of the inner cladding are compared.

Simplified Model for Light Propagation in Graded-Index-Medium

Using the ray theory of light, a simple theoretical model for the power evolution of a propagating light in graded-index-medium is presented. This work can be useful for different engineering applications that utilize graded-index-material, and for further understanding of natural phenomena that depends on light propagation in graded-index-medium.

Hundred-watt level all-fiber visible supercontinuum generation from a graded-index multimode fiber

A monolithic visible supercontinuum(SC)source with a record average output power of 204 W and a spectrum ranging from580 nm to beyond 2400 nm is achieved in a piece of standard telecom graded-index multimode fiber(GRIN MMF)by designing the pumping system.The influence of the GRIN MMF length on the geometrical parameter instability(GPI)effect is analyzed for the first time,to the best of our knowledge,by comparing the SC spectral region dominated by the GPI effect under different fiber lengths.Our work could pave the way for robust,cost-effective,and high-power visible SC sources.

Single fiber dual-functionality optical tweezers based on graded-index multimode fiber

We propose and demonstrate single fiber dual-functionality optical tweezers based on a graded-index multimode fiber. By using the multi-angle fiber grinding and polishing technology, we fabricate the multimode fiber tip to be a special tapered shape, contributing to focus the outgoing beam with a large intensity gradient for the first functionality--three-dimensional contactless trapping of a microparticle. By adjusting the radial direction offset between the lead-in single mode fiber and the graded-index multimode fiber, we perform the second functionality--axial shift of the trapped microparticle with respect to the fiber tip without need of moving the fiber probe itself. It is convenient for practical applications, The theoretical and experimental results about the relationship between the radial offset and the equilibrium positions of the microparticle have the good consistency. Tailoring the trap and axial shift of the microparticle based on the graded-index multimode fiber provides convenient avenues for fiber optical tweezers a~）Dlied in practical researches.

Fiber-optic Fabry-Prot strain sensor based on graded-index multimode fiber

By using a graded-index multimode fiber （GI-MMF） with a relatively flat index profile and high refractive index of the fiber core, a microextrinsic fiber-optic Fabry Prot interferometric （MEFPI） strain sensor is fabricated through chemical etching and fusion splicing. Higher reflectance of the microcavity is obtained due to the less-curved inner wall in the center of the fiber core after etching and higher index contrast between the GI-MMF core and air. The maximum reflection of the sensor is enhanced 12 dB than that obtained by etching of the Er- or B-doped fibers. High fringe contrast of 22 dB is obtained. The strain and temperature responses of the MEFPI sensors are investigated in this experiment. Good linearity and high sensitivity are achieved, with wavelength-strain and wavelength-temperature sensitivities of 7.82 pm/με and 5.01 pm/°C, respectively.

Compact and robust dual-color linearly polarized illumination source for three-photon fluorescence imaging

The miniaturized femtosecond laser in near infrared-Ⅱregion is the core equipment of threephoton microscopy.In this paper,we design a compact and robust illumination source that emits dual-color linearly polarized light for three-photon microscopy.Based on an all-polarizationmaintaining passive mode-locked fiber laser,we shift the center wavelength of the pulses to the 1.7m band utilizing cascade Raman effect,thereby generate dual-wavelength pulses.To enhance clarity,the two wavelengths are separated through the graded-index multimode fiber.Then we obtain the dual-pulse sequences with 1639.4 nm and 1683.7 nm wavelengths,920 fs pulse duration,and 23.75 MHz pulse repetition rate.The average power of the signal is 53.64mW,corresponding to a single pulse energy of 2.25 nJ.This illumination source can be further amplified and compressed for three-photon fluorescence imaging,especially dual-color three-photon fluorescence imaging,making it an ideal option for biomedical applications.

Exact self-similar solitary waves and collisions in nonlinear optical media

This paper analyses bright and dark spatial self-similar waves propagation and collision in graded-index nonlinear waveguide amplifiers with self-focusing and self-defocusing Kerr nonlinearities. It finds an appropriate transformation for the first time such that the nonlinear Schrodinger equation （NLSE） with varying coefficients transform into standard NLSE. It obtains one-solitonlike, two-solitonlike and multi-solitonlike self-similar wave solutions by using the transformation. Furthermore, it analyses the features of the self-similar waves and their collisions.

Compression and stretching of ring-vortex solitons in a bulk nonlinear medium

Compression and stretching of ring-vortex solitons, which is a novel self-similar solution of（2＋1）-dimensional diffraction decreasing waveguide, is investigated analytically and numerically. We obtain the ring-vortex solitons via the similarity transformation method. The distance modulation for the width, the diffraction, and the nonlinear response, strongly affects the form and the behavior of the self-similar vortex, and facilitates the efficient compression of optical waves. This approximate ring-vortex solitons can reflect the real properties of self-similar optical vortex beams during propagation under certain parameter window selection. Specific examples and figures are given to illustrate discussed features. The results obtained in this paper may have potential values for all-optical data-processing schemes and the design of beam compressors and amplifiers.

uorescence microendoscopy imaging based on GRIN lenses with one- and two-photon excitation modes

With the rapid development of life sciences, there is an increasing demand for intravital fluorescence imaging of small animals. However, large dimensions and limited working distances of objective lenses in traditional fluorescence microscopes have limited their imaging applications mostly to superficial tissues. To overcome these disadvantages, researchers have developed the graded-index （GRIN） probes with small diameters for imaging internal organs of small animals in a minimally invasive fashion. However, dynamic imaging based on GRIN lens has not been studied extensively. Here, this paper presented a fluorescence endoscopic imaging system based on GRiN lenses using one-photon and two-photon excitation. GRIN lenses with 1.15 mm diameter and 7.65 mm length were used in the system. The images were acquired by a compact laser scanning imaging system with a resonant galvo-mirror system to scan the laser beam and a photomultiplier tube （PMT） to detect fluorescence signals. Experimental results showed that this system using two-photon excitation could implement dynamic fluorescence microendoscopic imaging and monitor the movement of blood flow beneath the skin in anesthetized mice while producing images with higher contrast and signal to noise ratio （SNR） than those using one photon excitation. It would be a useful tool for studying biological processes of small animals or plants in vivo.