Modal analysis of antiresonant hollow core fibers using S² imaging.

We analyze the higher-order core mode content in various designs of antiresonant hollow core fibers using spatially and spectrally resolved imaging. Hollow core fibers have great potential for a variety of applications, and understanding their mode content is crucial for many of these. Two different designs of hollow core fibers are considered, the first with eight nontouching rings and the second with eight touching rings forming a closed boundary core. The mode content of each fiber is measured as a function of length and bending diameter. Low amounts of higher-order modes were found in both hollow core fibers, and mode specific and bending-dependent losses have been determined. This study aids in understanding the core modes of hollow core fibers and possible methods of controlling them. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America