Solitary thermal shock-waves and optical damage in optical fibres

The authors investigate the thermally-induced catastrophic optical breakdown of fibre-based laser-light delivery systems. They initiate the effect by heating the fibre with a small flame whilst the laser light is propagating within it. A solitary thermal shock-wave is created which propagates along the fibre towards the laser, leaving the core permanently damaged and unable to guide light. The authors have modelled the effect numerically and analytically