Abstract: An optical waveguide supporting a plurality of modes including an annulus which attenuates a desired mode to a lesser degree than any other mode in the plurality of modes. In one embodiment, the annulus is disposed in the core of the waveguide. In another embodiment, the annulus is concentric about the core. In another embodiment, the annulus has a predetermined width and radius. In yet another embodiment the optical waveguide includes an annulus that is disposed at a radial position corresponding to a region in the core in which the desired mode has substantially no energy. In yet another embodiment the desired mode includes the LP02 mode. In another embodiment, the annulus includes a scattering material. In still another embodiment, the annulus includes a conductive dopant material. Another embodiment includes a sharp change of refractive index within the core. Still other embodiments include disposing a region of increased refractive index in the core of the waveguide to attenuate undesired modes.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for transmitting an optical signal having optical energy substantially in a high order spatial mode. The optical waveguide, in one embodiment, includes a few mode fiber designed to have specific transmission characteristics for supporting the single high order spatial mode, and the few mode fiber transmits the single high order spatial mode. The optical waveguide, in one embodiment, has a dispersion and a dispersion slope for a given transmission bandwidth. Another aspect of the invention includes a method for transmitting an optical signal having optical energy substantially in a single high order spatial mode. The method includes the steps of providing a few mode fiber, which supports optical energy in the single high order spatial mode. In one embodiment, the single high order spatial mode is the LP02 spatial mode In another embodiment, the few mode fiber supports an optical signal having optical energy having less than twenty spatial modes.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for transforming a spatial mode of an optical signal. The apparatus includes an optical phase element for imparting a predetermined spatially selective phase delay to the optical signal, and a mask in optical communication with the optical phase element. The mask, in one embodiment, includes an optically attenuating region disposed in a predetermined spatial pattern. In one aspect of the invention, the optical signal is transformed from a first spatial mode to a second spatial mode. In another aspect of the invention, the mask includes an absorbing material arranged in a predetermined spatial pattern. In yet another aspect of the invention, the mask includes a scattering material arranged in a predetermined spatial pattern. The invention also relates to a method for transforming a spatial mode of an optical signal. The method includes the step of receiving the optical signal having a first spatial mode with an intensity distribution and a phase.

Abstract: A variable dispersion compensation device utilizing temperature control of the dispersion compensating fiber. Both a high order mode fiber, or a conventional dispersion compensating fiber are utilized. Use of a high order mode fiber with a trimming fiber, each being separately temperature controlled is also described. A method for controlling a system containing the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: An optical waveguide supporting a plurality of modes including an absorbing annulus which attenuates a desired mode to a lesser degree than any other mode in the plurality of modes. In one embodiment, the absorbing annulus is disposed in the core of the waveguide. In another embodiment, the annulus is concentric about the core. In another embodiment, the annulus has a predetermined width and radius. In yet another embodiment the desired mode includes the LP02 mode.

Abstract: An Erbium-doped fiber amplifier wherein the signal and/or the laser pump source are introduced into the erbium-doped fiber in a high order spatial mode. A mode transformer is utilized to transform the optical signal or the laser pump source to a second spatial mode. A coupler and erbium-doped profile are also described.