A multicore fiber (MCF)-based mode multiplexer/demultiplexer (MUX/DEMUX) that can overcome the alignment issue of the fiber-based mode MUX/DEMUX is proposed. Design concept and fabrication results of the MCF-based mode MUX/DEMUX for two-spatial-mode operation (LP₀₁ and LP₁₁) (2M-MUX/DEMUX) and for three-spatial-mode operation (LP₀₁, LP_11a, and LP_11b) (3M-MUX/DEMUX) are presented. The fabricated 2M-MUX/DEMUXes for C-band or L-band, using the same MCF with different elongation ratios demonstrate a coupling efficiency of greater than 90% over each band. Finally, a 3M-MUX/DEMUX with a fan-in/fan-out device is presented. The selective excitation of LP₀₁, LP_11a, and LP_11b modes depending on input ports is experimentally demonstrated.

Date Published: 7 February 2015
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 9389, Next-Generation Optical Communication: Components, Sub-Systems, and Systems IV, 938905 (7 February 2015); doi: 10.1117/12.2079061

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9389:
Next-Generation Optical Communication: Components, Sub-Systems, and Systems IV
Guifang Li; Xiang Zhou, Editor(s)