Polarization-selective mode coupling in two-mode Hi-Bi fibers

We propose and demonstrate a mode coupler which converts either of the LP/sub 01/ polarization states in a two-mode high-birefringence (Hi-Bi) fiber to the LP/sub 11/ mode with the same polarization. We use coupled-mode theory to develop design rules based on the polarization splitting of the beat length between the two lower-order modes. The device can be operated either as a narrow-band device in a region with large intermodal group delay difference or as a broadband device in a region with zero group delay difference. We use this novel device as a key component in a two-mode Hi-Bi fiber polarizer. In this configuration either of the polarization eigenstates can be selected and transmitted with an adjustable extinction ratio which can be as large as 30 dB. The coupling loss in the transmitted state of polarization can be less than 0.2 dB. In the broadband polarizer we demonstrate -20 dB extinction over 42 nm with a potential for considerable improvement. We also propose and experimentally investigate an increased differential group delay obtained by propagating one polarization state in the LP/sub 11/ mode instead of in the LP/sub 01/ mode. The largest differential group delay measured in this configuration is 14.5 ps/m which is seven times larger than the differential group delay between the polarization modes. We discuss several possible uses in fiber sensors and measure the transmission of a proposed two-coupler configuration.