Random Distributed Feedback Fiber Laser Generating Cylindrical Vector Beams

Random distributed feedback (DFB) fiber lasers have shown potential for applications in telecommunication, sensing, nonlinear optics, and imaging, due to attractive features such as low cost, simple technology, and modeless behavior. Cylindrical vector beams (CVBs) have also received much attention, for high-resolution imaging, optical trapping, telecommunication, and sensing. Little work has been done to combine these systems, but this study demonstrates a random DFB fiber laser successfully generating CVBs. Multimode behavior indicates low temporal coherence of the output, as intended, and laser speckle is reduced by design.