Design of elliptical-core mode-selective photonic lanterns with six modes for MIMO-free mode division multiplexing systems.

Abstract

Elliptical-core few mode fiber (EC-FMF) is used in a mode division multiplexing (MDM) transmission system to release multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) digital-signal-processing, which reduces the cost and the complexity of the receiver. However, EC-FMF does not match with conventional multiplexers/de-multiplexers (MUXs/DeMUXs) such as a photonic lantern, leading to extra mode coupling loss and crosstalk. We design elliptical-core mode-selective photonic lanterns (EC-MSPLs) with six modes, which can match well with EC-FMF in MIMO-free MDM systems. Simulation of the EC-MSPL using the beam propagation method was demonstrated employing a combination of either step-index or graded-index fibers with six different sizes of cores, and the taper transition length of 8cm or 4cm. Through numerical simulations and optimizations, both types of photonic lanterns can realize low loss transmission and low crosstalk of below -20.0 dB for all modes.