A systematic analysis of parametric instabilities in nonlinear parabolic multimode fibers

Abstract

We provide a systematic analysis of geometric parametric instabilities in nonlinear graded-index multimode fibers. Our approach implicitly accounts for self-focusing effects and considers dispersion processes to all orders. It is shown that the resulting parametric problem takes the form of a Hill's equation that can be systematically addressed using a Floquet approach. The theory developed indicates that the unstable spectral domains associated with such geometric parametric instabilities can be significantly altered as the power levels injected in a parabolic multimode fiber increase. These predictions are in excellent agreement with experimental data gathered from graded-index multimode structures.