Optical characterization of disordered Yb-doped silica glass Anderson localizing optical fiber

We investigate and report the optical and laser characteristics of a ytterbium-doped transverse Anderson localizing optical fiber to develop a fundamental understanding of the light propagation, generation, and amplification processes in this novel fiber. Ultimately, the goal based on the measurements and calculations conducted herein is to design and build a random fiber laser with a highly directional beam. The measurements are based on certain observations of the laser pump propagation and amplified spontaneous emission generation in this fiber. Judicious approximations are used in the propagation equations to obtain the relevant desired parameters in simple theoretical fits to the experimental observations, without resorting to speculations based on the intended construction from the fiber preform.