Pumping of higher-order modes of an optical nanofiber by laser excited atoms

Abstract

The pumping efficiency of the higher-order modes of an optical nanofiber by fluorescence excited in atoms by laser light is analyzed. The mode excitation efficiency is examined for three higher-order modes TE01, TM01 and HE21 and compared with the excitation efficiency for the fundamental fiber mode HE11. It is shown that pumping rates for the higher-order modes of an optical nanofiber are generally 5-10 times higher than that for the fundamental mode. It is concluded that optical nanofibers with pumped higher-order modes can play the role of interfaces allowing one to transfer electromagnetic energy stored in optically excited atoms into the optical modes propagating inside the fibers. © 2013 Astro Ltd.