Multi-element Fiber for space-division multiplexed optical communication system

Author

Jain, Sonal ; Rancano, V.J.F. ; May-Smith, T.C. ; Petropoulos, P. ; Sahu, J.K. ; Richardson, D.J.

Author_Institution

Optoelectron. Res. Centre, Southampton, UK

fYear

2014

fDate

6-10 July 2014

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

4

Abstract

This paper reviews a novel approach of implementing space-division multiplexing (SDM) based on Multi-element Fiber (MEF) technology. The MEF geometry provides for ultra-low crosstalk between the spatial channels while full compatibility with standard WDM components is maintained. Passive Ge-doped 3-MEFs have been fabricated and characterized and error free WDM data transfer at an aggregate rate of 1014 Gbit/s shown. Also, an Er/Yb-doped cladding-pumped 5-MEF has been demonstrated which enables pump sharing between the signal fiber-elements thereby reducing the number of components in the system. Both these passive and active MEFs have been used to demonstrate an error free SDM system with in-line amplification.

Keywords

optical communication equipment; optical fibre amplifiers; optical fibre cladding; optical fibre communication; space division multiplexing; wavelength division multiplexing; Er/Yb-doped cladding-pumped 5-MEF; SDM; error free SDM system; in-line amplification; multielement fiber; passive Ge-doped 3-MEFs; space-division multiplexed optical communication system; spatial channels; ultra-low crosstalk; Gain; Optical fiber amplifiers; Optical fiber couplers; Optical fiber devices; Optical fiber networks; optical fiber amplifier; optical fiber communication; space-division multiplexing;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Transparent Optical Networks (ICTON), 2014 16th International Conference on

Conference_Location

Graz

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ICTON.2014.6876672

Filename

6876672