Intrinsically low-nonlinearity optical fibers

Scaling the output power from fiber-based amplifiers and lasers to higher levels is important for a wide variety of applications including machining, manufacturing, and directed energy systems. From a scientific perspective, the underlying physics is fascinating and offers insights into new phenomena and a deeper understanding of light-matter interactions. However, the long propagation lengths and small mode sizes that are defining features of modern fibers often exacerbate parasitic nonlinearities and thermal effects prior to the desirably high powers being reached. This talk will focus on the materials physics of light-matter interactions as relevant to mitigating nonlinearities and thermal effects in optical fibers. Put another way, approaches to reduce and potentially negate parasitic nonlinearities intrinsically, i.e., materially, though the judicious selection of the composition of the fiber core will be reviewed.