Modal dynamics in multimode optical fibers: An attractor of high-order modes

Abstract

Light propagation in multimode fibers involves abundant modal dynamics. The energy flow from the intermediate modes into the fundamental and high-order modes is investigated, including the influences by the mode number and mode energy of high-order modes. It is quite surprising that random distribution of high-order modes evolves to a stationary one, indicating the behavior of an attractor. Lyapunov exponent is adopted to quantitatively discuss such attractor. The findings may pave the way to secure communications in multimode fibers.