3.5 All-fiber components for mode division multiplexing
The need for higher capacity than what single-mode fiber (SMF) systems can support has turned research efforts to mode division multiplexing (MDM) over few-mode fibers (FMFs). Although system demonstrations have shown the feasibility of MDM for long-haul transmission, the development of MDM components remains a major issue. MDM components should be compatible with other transmission techniques, especially wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), so that MDM over FMFs truly takes the optical capacity further than the SMF limits.
Our group has been working on all-fiber broadband components for MDM transmission. The design approach we have followed starts with the parameters of the transmission FMF to facilitate connectivity. The aim of the design is to yield polarization-independent components that can operate over tens of nm, so that MDM applies simultaneously with polarization and wavelength division multiplexing.
Significant publications:
- C. P. Tsekrekos and D. Syvridis, “Symmetric Few-Mode Fiber Couplers as the Key Component for Broadband Mode Multiplexing,” IEEE/OSA J. Lightw. Technol., vol. 30, n. 14, pp. 2461-2467, July 2014.
- C. P. Tsekrekos and D. Syvridis, “Broadband all-fiber mode multiplexer for future MDM-WDM transmission over few-mode fibers,” in Proc. CLEO EUROPE/IQEC 2013, paper CI_4_5, May 2013.
- C. P. Tsekrekos and D. Syvridis, “All-fiber broadband mode converter for future wavelength and mode division multiplexing systems,” IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett., vol. 24, n. 18, pp. 1638-1641, Sep. 2012.