All-fiber few-mode multicore photonic lantern mode multiplexer

Area of Science:

• Optical communications
• Photonics
• Materials science

Background:

• Ultra-high capacity optical networks are crucial for modern data demands.
• Space division multiplexing (SDM) offers a path to increased network capacity.
• Novel components are needed to realize the full potential of SDM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate an all-fiber mode selective photonic lantern multiplexer.
• To enable efficient mode excitation in few-mode multicore fibers for SDM.
• To develop scalable, low-loss components for unlocking fiber capacity.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an all-fiber mode selective photonic lantern.
• Design for selective excitation of LP01, LP11a, and LP11b modes.
• Integration with a seven-core fiber configuration.

Main Results:

• Achieved selective excitation of three modes (LP01, LP11a, LP11b).
• Demonstrated 21 spatial channels in a seven-core fiber.
• Reported core-to-core crosstalk below 38 dB and insertion loss below 0.4 dB.

Conclusions:

• The demonstrated multicore photonic lantern multiplexer is scalable for future SDM systems.
• This device facilitates integration with ultra-high bandwidth few-mode multicore optical communication systems.
• The component unlocks significant fiber capacity for next-generation networks.