Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for generating a laser output beam having a functionally homogenized intensity distribution. According to some embodiments, a population of few modes in a multi-mode confinement core is excited by application of a low-moded source beam to the multi-mode confinement core, such that the population exhibit an unstable intensity distribution. The unstable intensity distribution is functionally homogenized by providing one or both of modulation of phase displacement in the multi-mode confinement core and variation of launch conditions of the low-moded source beam into the multi-mode confinement core.

Abstract: A cladding mode stripper for stripping cladding modes from an optical fiber is disclosed. The cladding mode stripper includes a reflective base and a block of a transparent material disposed on the reflective base. The block of the transparent material has a groove in its bottom surface for the fiber. The fiber is thermally coupled to the base and optically coupled to the groove in the block, for example using an index matching gel. The cladding mode light is reflected from the reflective base and is absorbed in a cover enclosing the block. An additional thin block of transparent heat-conductive material can be placed between the fiber and the reflective base, to prevent the index matching gel from contacting the reflective surface of the base.