LP modes exchange based on multiplane light conversion

作者：Yanan Zhong, Chuxuan Lin, Juncheng Fang, Ting Lei, Xiaocong Yuan · 发表于：Chinese Optics Letters · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.3788/col202422.030602 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Orbital Angular Momentum in Optics、Optical Coherence Tomography Applications、Optical Polarization and Ellipsometry

Data exchange between different mode channels is essential in the optical communication network with mode-division multiplexing (MDM). However, there are challenges in realizing mode exchange with low insert loss, low mode crosstalk, and high integration. Here, we designed and fabricated a mode exchange device based on multiplane light conversion (MPLC), which supports the transmission of LP01, LP11a, LP11b, and LP21 modes in the C-band and L-band. The simulated exchanged mode purities are greater than 85%. The phase masks were fabricated on a silicon substrate to facilitate the integration with optical systems, with an insert loss of less than 2.2 dB and mode crosstalk below -21 dB due primarily to machining inaccuracies and alignment errors. We carried out an optical communication experiment with 10 Gbit/s OOK and QPSK data transmission at the wavelength of 1550 nm and obtained excellent performance with the device. It paves the way for flexible data exchange as a building block in MDM optical communication networks.