Step-index few-mode fiber designs for spatial multiplexing

摘要

A few-mode optical fiber comprises a core surrounded by a cladding, having a step index profile that is structured to support propagation of a plurality of desired signal-carrying modes, while suppressing undesired modes. The core and cladding are configured such that the undesired modes have respective effective indices that are close to, or less than, the cladding index such that the undesired modes are leaky modes. The index spacing between the desired mode having the lowest effective index and the leaky mode with the highest effective index is sufficiently large so as to substantially prevent coupling therebetween.

主权项

1. An optical fiber, comprising:
a core and a cladding surrounding the core; wherein the core and cladding have a step index profile that is structured to support propagation of a plurality of desired signal-carrying modes, while suppressing undesired modes,
wherein the cladding includes an outer cladding region having an outer radius rcladding, a refractive index ncladding, and an index difference Δncladding=0, andwherein the core has a radius rcore, a refractive index ncore, and an index difference Δncore, wherein the core and cladding are configured such that the undesired modes have respective effective indices that are close to, or less than, the cladding index such that the undesired modes are leaky modes, and wherein the index spacing between the desired mode having the lowest effective index and the leaky mode with the highest effective index is sufficiently large so as to substantially prevent coupling therebetween.