We present the first demonstration of a multimode (two mode-group) erbium-doped fiber amplifier for Space Division Multiplexed (SDM) applications and demonstrate various design and performance features of such devices. In particular we experimentally demonstrate that differential modal gains can be controlled and reduced both by fiber design and control of the pump field distribution. Using a suitably designed fiber we demonstrate simultaneous modal gains of ~20dB for different pair-wise combinations of spatial and polarization modes in an EDFA supporting amplification of 6 distinct modes.

We experimentally demonstrate a few-mode erbium doped fiber amplifier (FM-EDFA) supporting 6 spatial modes with a cladding pumped architecture. Average modal gains are measured to be >20dB between 1534nm-1565nm with a differential modal gain of ~3dB among the mode groups and noise figures of 6-7dB. The cladding pumped FM-EDFA offers a cost effective alternative to core-pumped variant as low cost, high power multimode pumps can be used, and offers performance, scalability and simplicity to FM-EDFA design.

We present a broadband single-mode bi-conical microfiber coupler (MFC) with a specifically designed transition region that effectively suppresses any higher-order modes present at the input fiber and provides efficient power splitting into the fundamental mode at the two output ports. As a practical example, single-mode 3-dB splitting operation over a broad spectral window (400~1700 nm) was demonstrated for a very thin taper waist (~1.5μm) MFC made from conventional telecom optical fibers.

We report the use of a sub-wavelength optical wire (SOW) with a specifically designed transition region as an efficient tool to filter higher-order modes in multimode waveguides. Higher-order modes are effectively suppressed by controlling the transition taper profile and the diameter of the sub-wavelength optical wire. As a practical example, single-mode operation of a standard telecom optical fiber over a broad spectral window (400~1700 nm) was demonstrated with a 1µm SOW. The ability to obtain robust and stable single-mode operation over a very broad range of wavelengths offers new possibilities for mode control within fiber devices and is relevant to a range of application sectors including high performance fiber lasers, sensors, photolithography, and optical coherence tomography systems.

Four-mode multiplexing and manipulation technologies are reviewed in the context of space-division multiplexing (SDM) optical communication systems. These are multiplane light conversion (MPLC), fused fiber devices, such as photonic lanterns and tapered fiber bundles, 3-D waveguides fabricated using ultrafast laser inscription, and free-space imaging systems. Each device has its unique strengths and use cases. MPLC can create very complex transformations between two arbitrary sets of spatial modes and leverages mature gray-scale lithographic techniques. Photonic lanterns and tapered fiber bundles are all-fiber devices that can convert beams on single-mode fiber inputs into spatial modes. The all-fiber construction leads to very low losses and high-power handling. 3-D waveguides are inscribed into a glass block using ultrashort lasers and can arbitrarily route light in 3-D. Finally, free-space systems using lenses can also relay many multicore and multimode beams through a single free-space device, such as a thin film filter or an optical isolator. These four technologies have enabled hero transmission experiments in the multimode, multicore, and multimode fiber.

Short wavelength operation (1650–1800 nm) of silica-based thulium-doped fiber amplifiers (TDFAs) is investigated. We report the first demonstration of in-band diode-pumped silica-based TDFAs working in the 1700–1800 nm waveband. Up to 29 dB of small-signal gain is achieved in this spectral region, with an operation wavelength accessible by diode pumping as short as 1710 nm. Further gain extension toward shorter wavelengths is realized in a fiber laser pumped configuration. A silica-based TDFA working in the 1650–1700 nm range with up to 29 dB small-signal gain and noise figure as low as 6.5 dB is presented.