title: Geometric requirements for photonic lanterns in space division multiplexing.
abstract: We investigate the use of "photonic lanterns" as adiabatic mode converters for space-division multiplexing (SDM) systems to interface multiple single-mode fibers to a multi-mode fiber. In a SDM system, minimizing the coupling loss and mode-dependent loss best utilizes all spatial modes of the fiber which increases the capacity, the transmission distance, and minimizes the outage probability. We use modal analysis, the beam propagation method, and a transfer matrix technique to analyze the lanterns throughput along with its mode dependent loss and show that unitary coupling between single-mode fibers and a multi-mode fiber is only possible by optimizing the arrangements of the cores. Results include simulations for three, 12, 15, and 51 core lanterns to couple to six, 24, 30, and 102 spatial and polarization modes, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Bell Laboratories, Alcatel-Lucent, Holmdel, NJ 07733, USA. nicolas.fontaine@alcatel-lucent.com
authors.forename: Nicolas K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Fontaine
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ryf
authors.forename: Joss
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bland-Hawthorn
authors.forename: Sergio G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Leon-Saval
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D008027:Light; D055100:Optical Fibers; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013685:Telecommunications / Q000295:instrumentation*