SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODE DIVISION MULTIPLEXING
First Claim
1. A method for coupling a plurality of optical signals between a corresponding plurality of single mode optical fibers (SMFs) and a multi-mode optical fiber (MMF), the method comprising:
- optically coupling the optical signals of the SMFs with respective spaced-apart regions at an optical pupil of an MMF, such that at least some of said regions partially overlap with a plurality of different spatial modes supported by the MMF;
wherein said optically coupling for each of the SMF optical signals and the respective region at the MMF'"'"'s optical pupil comprises;
i. Imaging the SMF optical signal propagating in between the associated SMF and said respective region of the MMF to focus the optical signal emanating from the SMF onto the respective region or vice versa; and
ii. shaping said optical signal being focused to convert a lateral field distribution thereof between a first predetermined field distribution corresponding to the SMF'"'"'s spatial mode and a second predetermined field distribution of said respective region.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided for coupling a plurality of optical signals, such as data signals, between a corresponding plurality of single mode optical fibers (SMFs) and a multi-mode optical fiber (MMF), by optically coupling the optical signals of the SMFs with respective spaced-apart regions at a facet of the MMF, such that at least some of the regions partially overlap with a plurality of different spatial modes supported by the MMF. The optical coupling is performed by utilizing imaging and beam shaping optics configured to couple each of the SMF optical signals and the respective region at the MMF'"'"'s optical pupil by carrying out the following: (i) imaging the SMF optical signal propagating in between the associated SMF and the respective region of the MMF to focus the optical signal emanating from the SMF onto the respective region or vice versa; and (ii) shaping the optical signal being focused to convert a lateral field distribution thereof, between a first predetermined field distribution corresponding to the SMF'"'"'s spatial mode and a second predetermined field distribution at the respective region.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for coupling a plurality of optical signals between a corresponding plurality of single mode optical fibers (SMFs) and a multi-mode optical fiber (MMF), the method comprising:
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optically coupling the optical signals of the SMFs with respective spaced-apart regions at an optical pupil of an MMF, such that at least some of said regions partially overlap with a plurality of different spatial modes supported by the MMF; wherein said optically coupling for each of the SMF optical signals and the respective region at the MMF'"'"'s optical pupil comprises; i. Imaging the SMF optical signal propagating in between the associated SMF and said respective region of the MMF to focus the optical signal emanating from the SMF onto the respective region or vice versa; and ii. shaping said optical signal being focused to convert a lateral field distribution thereof between a first predetermined field distribution corresponding to the SMF'"'"'s spatial mode and a second predetermined field distribution of said respective region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 14, 15, 17)
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7. (canceled)
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9-13. -13. (canceled)
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16. (canceled)
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18. An optical signal coupling system for coupling optical signals between a plurality of single mode optical fibers (SMFs) and a multi-mode optical fiber (MMF), the system comprises:
- beam shaping and imaging optics configured and operable together for optically coupling the optical signals of the SMFs with respective spaced-apart regions at an optical pupil of the MMF, wherein said imaging optics comprises focusing optics for focusing the optical signals associated with the SMFs onto the respective region at the MMF'"'"'s pupil or vice versa; and
said beam shaping optics is configured to convert lateral field distribution of each of the optical signals in between a first predetermined field distribution corresponding to a spatial mode of the associated SMF and a second predetermined field distribution at said respective region. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31, 33)
- beam shaping and imaging optics configured and operable together for optically coupling the optical signals of the SMFs with respective spaced-apart regions at an optical pupil of the MMF, wherein said imaging optics comprises focusing optics for focusing the optical signals associated with the SMFs onto the respective region at the MMF'"'"'s pupil or vice versa; and
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25. (canceled)
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28-29. -29. (canceled)
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32. (canceled)
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34. A method for optimizing spatial mode multiplexing/de-multiplexing of signal between a plurality of N single mode fibers and a common multimode fiber, the method comprising:
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providing at least one field distribution function which can be synthesized by spatial beam shaping; selecting an arrangement of N regions in an optical pupil of said MMF and optimizing scaling of said field distribution functions in each of said regions in accordance with said arrangement; varying one or more degrees of freedom, being optimization parameters, of said intensity distribution function, while estimating at least one of an insertion loss (IL) and mode-dependent loss (MDL) associated one or more variations of said degrees of freedom and comparing said variations with respective thresholds of at least one of said IL and MDL to screen out variations exceeding said thresholds, thereby providing one or more variations, each corresponding to a specific arrangement of said regions, and to optimized parameters of specific intensity distribution functions, for which said IL and MDL losses are optimized. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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Specification