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Multi-Core Fiber Creates Optical Supermode for Larger Effective Area

Technology Benefits

Increased transmission capacity

Technology Application

Optical communication systems

Detailed Technology Description

According to Xia (2011), for single-mode operation, CMCFs can attain larger effective index difference (ΔNeff) and effective area (Aeff) than FMFs. As a result, CMCFs tend to have less mode coupling and nonlinearity, which is important for efficient long-haul transmission. This invention is a passive, coupled multi-core fiber wherein the cores each support a spatial mode and are positioned close enough to cause coupling between their modes, generating supermodes capable of transmitting data.

*Abstract

To increase capacity for optical communication systems, this technology increases the effective area of fiber modes to decrease the limitation of Kerr nonlinearity by using multi-core fiber (CMCF) structure. The new structural innovation takes advantage of the crosstalk between the cores of a conventional multi-core fiber. Instead of avoiding crosstalk, the CMCF is able to use it for enhanced data transmission by shortening the core-to-core distance compared to conventional multi-core fiber. Optical energy that extends beyond the boundaries, evanescent fields, can easily couple into adjacent fiber cores. As the set of cores is coupled, it acts as a larger core and allows data transfer over increased bandwidth.Offering higher mode density and larger mode effective area than conventional multi-core fiber, the new fiber design can also prevent the mode coupling of supermodes, with design freedom including core-to-pitch ratio and core arrangement. Simulation results have shown lower modal dependent loss, mode coupling, and differential modal group delay compared to few-mode fiber, making the new coupled multi-core fiber design a candidate for spatial division multiplexing and single-mode operation.

*Principal Investigator

Name: Neng Bai

Department:

Name: Guifang Li, Ph.D.

Department:

Name: Cen Xia

Department:

Country/Region

USA