Interconnecting data based on vortex beams by adjusting the ellipticity of a ring-core fiber

Area of Science:

• Optical Communications
• Photonics
• Fiber Optics

Background:

• Space-division multiplexing (SDM) systems require efficient data exchange methods.
• Vortex beams, carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM), offer potential for increased data capacity.
• Controlling vortex beam properties within optical fibers is crucial for data switching.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and experimentally validate a novel vortex-beam-based data interconnection concept for SDM systems.
• To design and fabricate a new ring-core fiber capable of supporting first- and second-order vortex beams.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of data exchange by adjusting fiber ellipticity.

Main Methods:

• A novel ring-core fiber was designed and fabricated.
• Vortex beam propagation and exchange were analyzed using numerical simulations.
• An experimental platform was established to verify the proposed data exchange scheme.
• Bit error rates (BERs) and constellation diagrams (16-QAM) were used for performance evaluation.

Main Results:

• Vortex beams were successfully exchanged by adjusting the phase difference between even and odd vector modes, controlled by fiber ellipticity.
• Experimental results confirmed simulation findings, showing successful data switching between first-order (L=±1) and second-order (L=±2) vortex beams.
• Performance was evaluated under various conditions, including single/double exchanges and crosstalk, with acceptable BERs.

Conclusions:

• The proposed vortex-beam-based data interconnection scheme is effective for SDM systems.
• Adjusting ring-core fiber ellipticity provides a flexible and simple mechanism for vortex beam exchange.
• The method demonstrates reliability with acceptable performance, paving the way for advanced optical communication systems.