Mode- and wavelength-division multiplexed transmission using all-fiber mode multiplexer based on mode selective...

Area of Science:

• Optical Communications
• Photonics
• Fiber Optics

Background:

• Mode-division multiplexing (MDM) is a promising technique to increase optical fiber capacity.
• Existing mode multiplexers often face challenges in integration and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a novel all-fiber mode multiplexer.
• To enable multiplexing of LP₀₁ and LP₁₁ modes for enhanced data transmission.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two consecutive LP₁₁ mode selective couplers for mode multiplexing.
• Implemented wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) with 32 channels at 100 GHz spacing.
• Employed 120 Gb/s polarization division multiplexed quadrature phase shifted keying (PDM-QPSK) signals.
• Conducted transmission experiments over 560 km of few-mode fiber (FMF).
• Applied 6x6 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) digital signal processing (DSP).
• Incorporated modal differential group delay (DGD) compensation.

Main Results:

• Successfully multiplexed LP₀₁ and two-fold degenerate LP₁₁ modes.
• Demonstrated WDM transmission of 32 channels, each carrying 3 modes at 120 Gb/s PDM-QPSK.
• Achieved long-distance transmission over 560 km of FMF with advanced DSP and DGD compensation.

Conclusions:

• The proposed all-fiber mode multiplexer is effective for combining multiple modes and wavelengths.
• This technology shows significant potential for future mode- and wavelength-division multiplexed optical networks.
• The demonstrated system offers a viable path towards higher capacity fiber optic communication.