All-optical mode-group multiplexed transmission over a graded-index ring-core fiber with single radial mode.

We present a design of graded-index ring-core fiber (GI-RCF) supporting 3 linearly polarized (LP) mode-groups (i.e. LP01, LP11 and LP21) with a single radial index of one for mode-division multiplexed (MDM) transmission. Reconfigurable spatial light modulator (SLM) based spatial (mode) (de)multiplexers are used to systematically characterize spatial/temporal modal properties of the GI-RCF. We also demonstrate all-optical mode-group multiplexed transmissions over a 360m fabricated GI-RCF without using multiple-input multiple-output digital signal processing (MIMO DSP).

Broadband silica-based thulium doped fiber amplifier employing multi-wavelength pumping.

A multi-wavelength pumped thulium doped fiber amplifier is investigated to extend the spectral gain coverage of the amplifier in the 1.7-1.9µm wavelength range. Through the use of a combination of 791 nm, 1240 nm, and 1560 nm laser diode pumping, the amplifier gain can be improved significantly and overall gain bandwidth enhancement of ~47% as compared to single-wavelength pumping achieved. A nominal gain of 15 dB is achieved over a bandwidth of more than 250 nm spanning from 1700 to 1950 nm with a maximum gain of 29 dB and a noise figure of less than 5 dB.

Amplification of 12 OAM Modes in an air-core erbium doped fiber.

We theoretically propose an air-core erbium doped fiber amplifier capable of providing relatively uniform gain for 12 orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes (|L| = 5, 6 and 7, where |L| is the OAM mode order) over the C-band. Amplifier performance under core pumping conditions for a uniformly doped core for each of the supported pump modes (110 in total) was separately assessed. The differential modal gain (DMG) was found to vary significantly depending on the pump mode used, and the minimum DMG was found to be 0.25 dB at 1550 nm provided by the OAM (8,1) pump mode. A tailored confined doping profile can help to reduce the pump mode dependency for core pumped operation and help to increase the number of pump modes that can support a DMG below 1 dB. For the more practical case of cladding-pumped operation, where the pump mode dependency is almost removed, a DMG of 0.25 dB and a small signal gain of >20 dB can be achieved for the 12 OAM modes across the full C-band.

Coherent, focus-corrected imaging of optical fiber facets using a single-pixel detector.

A novel imaging technique that produces accurate amplitude and phase images of an optical fiber facet using only a phase-only liquid-crystal on silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulator (SLM) and a single-pixel detector is presented. The system can take images in two orthogonal polarizations and so provides a powerful tool for modal characterization of multimode fibers, which is of increasing importance due to their burgeoning use in telecommunications and medical applications. This technique first uses a simulated annealing algorithm to compute a hologram that collects light from a small region of the fiber facet. Next, the fiber facet is automatically brought into focus using adaptive aberration correction on the SLM. Finally, a common-path interferometer is created using the SLM, and the phase of the optical field at each pixel is determined. Finally, high-definition amplitude and phase images of a ring-core refractive index fiber are presented as a proof-of-principle demonstration of the technique.

Minimizing differential modal gain in cladding-pumped EDFAs supporting four and six mode groups.

We employ a Genetic Algorithm for the purpose of minimization of the maximum differential modal gain (DMG) over all the supported signal modes (at the same wavelength) of cladding-pumped four-mode and six-mode-group EDFAs. The optimal EDFA designs found through the algorithm provide less than 1 dB DMG across the C-band (1530-1565 nm) whilst achieving more than 20 dB gain per mode. We then analyze the sensitivity of the DMG to small variations from the optimal value of the erbium doping concentration and the structural parameters, and estimate the fabrication tolerance for reliable amplifier performance.

Accurate modal gain control in a multimode erbium doped fiber amplifier incorporating ring doping and a simple LP01 pump configuration.

We experimentally validate a numerical model to study multimode erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (MM-EDFAs). Using this model, we demonstrate the improved performance achievable in a step index MM-EDFA incorporating a localized erbium doped ring and its potential for Space Division Multiplexed (SDM) transmission. Using a pure LP01 pump beam, which greatly simplifies amplifier construction, accurate modal gain control can be achieved by carefully tuning the thickness of the ring-doped layer in the active fiber and the pump power. In particular, by optimizing the erbium-ring-doped structure and the length of active fiber used, over 20dB gain for both LP01 and LP11 signals with a maximum gain difference of around 2 dB across the C band are predicted for a pure LP01 pump beam delivering 250 mW power at 980 nm.