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Writing Bragg Gratings in Multicore Fibers
Published on: April 20, 2016
Laminated polymer waveguide fan-out device for uncoupled multi-core fibers
Tatsuhiko Watanabe1, Makoto Hikita, Yasuo Kokubun
1Graduate school of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Japan.
Optics Express
|November 29, 2012
Summary
A new laminated polymer waveguide (LPW) fan-out device enables simultaneous coupling to multi-core fibers. This compact device precisely controls core spacing for efficient optical signal distribution.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics
- Materials Science
- Fiber Optics
Background:
- Multi-core fibers (MCFs) offer increased transmission capacity.
- Efficient coupling between fan-out devices and MCFs is crucial for signal distribution.
- Existing fan-out devices face challenges in precise core spacing control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a compact waveguide-type fan-out device for uncoupled multi-core fibers.
- To achieve precise control over core spacing in the fan-out device.
- To evaluate the coupling performance and losses to a seven-core MCF.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a laminated polymer waveguide (LPW) fan-out device.
- Precise control of vertical core spacing using spin-coating of epoxy resin cladding with viscosity control.
- Precise control of lateral core spacing using a photomask.
- Demonstration of simultaneous coupling to a seven-core MCF.
- Measurement of offset loss characteristics and calculation of spot size for each core.
Main Results:
- Successful demonstration of a compact waveguide fan-out device.
- Precise control of core spacing in both vertical and lateral directions.
- Simultaneous coupling from the fan-out device to a seven-core MCF was achieved.
- Theoretical coupling losses were evaluated to be as low as 0.2 - 7.5 dB.
Conclusions:
- The developed LPW fan-out device is effective for uncoupled multi-core fiber applications.
- Precise fabrication methods allow for accurate core spacing and efficient coupling.
- The device shows potential for high-performance optical signal distribution in MCF systems.
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