Dynamic Coupling Control in Plasmonic Multimode Optical Fibers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in achieving full control over the photonic properties of plasmonic multimode optical fibers, particularly in controlling the coupling state between guided modes and plasmonic resonances, due to the intrinsic complexity of fiber transmission and the turbid nature of the medium.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that dynamically control the coupling state between guided modes and plasmonic resonances in a plasmonic multimode optical fiber by applying phase modulation components to the input light field, allowing for selective control of the intensity distribution and angular radiative pattern at the output facet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multimode optical fiber is used to enable full control over photonic properties, then the control capability is improved, but the fiber transmission complexity increases due to turbid medium effects
Solution Approach 1:
A spatial light modulator (SLM) is introduced as an intermediary device to shape the input light field before it enters the multimode fiber. The SLM applies phase modulation to control which guided modes are excited, thereby managing the complex light propagation through the turbid medium. This intermediary allows precise control over mode excitation without directly manipulating the complex internal fiber transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the phase parameter of the input light field using the SLM to control the coupling between guided modes and plasmonic resonances. By adjusting the phase modulation pattern on the SLM, the system can dynamically control which modes are excited and how they couple to the plasmonic structure, thereby managing the complexity of light propagation through parameter control
2Device complexity
If single mode fiber is used to simplify transmission, then the fiber complexity is reduced, but the control over resonant patterns at the output facet is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a programmable spatial light modulator that can dynamically change the phase modulation pattern in real-time. This dynamic control allows the system to adaptively adjust which guided modes are excited in the multimode fiber, providing flexible control over the resonant patterns at the output facet. The dynamic reconfigurability compensates for the inherent complexity of multimode transmission by allowing adaptive management of mode excitation
3Adaptability or versatility
If plasmonic structure with sub-wavelength features is added to enhance functionality, then the sensing and optical manipulation capability is improved, but the light propagation physics becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial light modulator applies preliminary phase shaping to the input light field before it reaches the plasmonic structure. By pre-controlling the phase distribution of the guided modes that reach the output facet, the system prepares the light field in a controlled manner, making the interaction with the sub-wavelength plasmonic features more predictable and manageable, thereby reducing the effective complexity of the coupled system
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables dynamic and selective control of the coupling state, allowing for spatial-selective activation of near-field enhancement, wavevector encoding, and decoding of the interaction between guided and free-space light propagation, leading to applications in spatially-resolved plasmonic endoscopy and spectrally-selective imaging.
Implementation Method 1
The ability to realize plasmonic structures on the output facet of multimode optical fibers has enabled a set of integrated functionalities, using guided light to exploit the intrinsic properties of either Surface Plasmon Resonances (SPR) or Localized SPR (LSPR)
Implementation Method 2
dynamically controlling the coupling state between guided modes and plasmonic resonances in a plasmonic multimode optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
providing a set of phase modulation components φinterferejx,jy,p(uin,vin) to be applied to an input light field entering the input facet
Data Source
AI summary
A method for dynamically controlling the coupling state between guided modes and plasmonic resonances in a plasmonic multimode optical fiber is provided. The method involves providing a set of phase modulation components ϕinterferej<sub2>x</sub2>,j<sub2>y</sub2>,p(uin,vin) to be applied to an input light field entering an input facet of the plasmonic multimode optical fiber, determining a computed phase modulation Φ(uin,vin) to be applied to the input light field to produce a coupling between the guided modes and the plasmonic resonances, the computed phase modulation being defined as a combination of the phase modulation components, ϕinterferej<sub2>x</sub2>,j<sub2>y</sub2>,p(uin,vin), and applying the computed phase modulation Φ(uin,vin) to a laser beam entering the input facet of the plasmonic multimode optical fiber.