Enabling coherent superpositions of iso-frequency optical states in multimode fibers

The ability to precisely and selectively excite superpositions of specific fiber eigenmodes allows one in principle to control the three dimensional field distribution along the length of a fiber. Here we demonstrate the dynamic synthesis and controlled transmission of vectorial eigenstates in a hollow core cylindrical photonic bandgap fiber, including a coherent superposition of two different angular momentum states. The results are verified using a modal decomposition algorithm that yields the unique complex superposition coefficients of the eigenstate space.United States. Defense Advanced Research Projects AgencyUnited States. Dept. of EnergyUnited States. Army Research Office (Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies)National Science Foundation (U.S.). Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (Program