Preparation and transmission of low-loss azimuthally polarized pure single mode in multimode photonic band gap fibers

We demonstrate the preparation and transmission of the lowest loss azimuthally polarized TE[subscript 01-] like mode in a photonic band gap (PBG) fiber. Using the nature of the mode and the properties of the band gap structure we construct a novel coupler that operates away from the band gap's center to enhance the differential losses and facilitate the radiative loss of hybrid fundamental fiber modes. Remarkably, even though the coupler is highly multimoded, a pure azimuthally polarized mode is generated after only 17cm. Theoretical calculations verify the validity of this technique and accurately predict the coupling efficiency. The generation and single mode propagation of this unique azimuthally polarized, doughnut shaped mode in a large hollow-core fiber can find numerous applications including in optical microscopy, optical tweezers, and guiding particles along the fiber.National Science Foundation (U.S.). Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (Program) (Award DMR-0819762)Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (Contract W911NF-07-D-0004