Feihong Ye

Simple analytical expression for crosstalk estimation in homogeneous trench-assisted multi-core fibers

An analytical expression for the mode coupling coefficient in homogeneous trench-assisted multi-core fibers is derived, which has a simple relationship with the one in normal step-index structures. The amount of inter-core crosstalk reduction (in dB) with trench-assisted structures compared to the one with normal step-index structures can then be written by a simple expression. Comparison with numerical simulations confirms that the obtained analytical expression has very good accuracy for crosstalk estimation. The crosstalk properties in trench-assisted multi-core fibers, such as crosstalk dependence on core pitch and wavelength-dependent crosstalk, can be obtained by this simple analytical expression.

On-chip grating coupler array on the SOI platform for fan-in/fan-out of MCFs with low insertion loss and crosstalk

We report the design and fabrication of a compact multi-core fiber fan-in/fan-out using a grating coupler array on the SOI platform. The grating couplers are fully-etched, enabling the whole circuit to be fabricated in a single lithography and etching step. Thanks to the apodized design for the grating couplers and the introduction of an aluminum reflective mirror, a highest coupling efficiency of -3.8 dB with 3 dB coupling bandwidth of 48 nm and 1.5 dB bandwidth covering the whole C band, together with crosstalk lower than -32 dB are demonstrated.

Reconfigurable SDM switching using novel silicon photonic integrated circuit

Space division multiplexing using multicore fibers is becoming a more and more promising technology. In space-division multiplexing fiber network, the reconfigurable switch is one of the most critical components in network nodes. In this paper we for the first time demonstrate reconfigurable space-division multiplexing switching using silicon photonic integrated circuit, which is fabricated on a novel silicon-on-insulator platform with buried Al mirror. The silicon photonic integrated circuit is composed of a 7 × 7 switch and low loss grating coupler array based multicore fiber couplers. Thanks to the Al mirror, grating couplers with ultra-low coupling loss with optical multicore fibers is achieved. The lowest total insertion loss of the silicon integrated circuit is as low as 4.5 dB, with low crosstalk lower than −30 dB. Excellent performances in terms of low insertion loss and low crosstalk are obtained for the whole C-band. 1 Tb/s/core transmission over a 2-km 7-core fiber and space-division multiplexing switching is demonstrated successfully. Bit error rate performance below 10−9 is obtained for all spatial channels with low power penalty. The proposed design can be easily upgraded to reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer capable of switching several multicore fibers.

Wavelength-Dependence of Inter-Core Crosstalk in Homogeneous Multi-Core Fibers

The wavelength dependence of inter-core crosstalk in homogeneous multi-core fibers (MCFs) is investigated, and the corresponding analytical expressions are derived. The derived analytical expressions can be used to determine the crosstalk at any wavelength necessary for designing future MCF wavelength-division multiplexing (MCF-WDM) networks and transmission systems.

Experimental Demonstration of Multidimensional Switching Nodes for All-Optical Data Center Networks

This paper reports on a novel ring-based data center architecture composed of multidimensional switching nodes. The nodes are interconnected with multicore fibers and can provide switching in three different physical, hierarchically overlaid dimensions (space, wavelength, and time). The proposed architecture allows for scaling in different dimensions while at the same time providing support for connections with different granularity. The ring topology reduces the number of different physical links required, leading to simplified cabling and easier link management, while optical bypass holds the prospect of low latency and low-power consumption. The performance of the multidimensional switching nodes has been investigated in an experimental demonstration comprising three network nodes connected with multicore fibers. Both high capacity wavelength connections and time-shared subwavelength connections have been established for connecting different nodes by switching indifferent physical dimensions. Error-free performance (BER <; 10-9) has been achieved for all the connections with various granularity in all the investigated switching scenarios. The scalability of the system has been studied by increasing the transmission capacity to 1 Tbit/s/core equivalent to 7 Tbit/s total throughput in a single seven-core multicore fiber. The error-free performance (BER <; 10-9) for all the connections confirms that the proposed architecture can meet the existing

A New and Simple Method for Crosstalk Estimation in Homogeneous Trench-Assisted Multi-Core Fibers

A new and simple method for inter-core crosstalk estimation in homogeneous trench-assisted multi-core fibers is presented. The crosstalk calculated by this method agrees well with experimental measurement data for two kinds of fabricated 12-core fibers.

Experimental demonstration of 6-mode division multiplexed NG-PON2: Cost effective 40 Gbit/s/spatial-mode access based on 3D laser inscribed photonic lanterns

We report the first space-division-multiplexed based symmetric NG-PON2 network by efficiently transmitting 40 Gbit/s/spatial-mode. Error free transmission (BER of 10-9) is obtained for all the downstream and upstream data tributaries over 1-km 6-spatial-mode FMF without using MIMO DSP.

Design of Homogeneous Trench-Assisted Multi-Core Fibers Based on Analytical Model

We present a design method of homogeneous trench-assisted multicore fibers (TA-MCFs) based on an analytical model utilizing an analytical expression for the mode coupling coefficient between two adjacent cores. The analytical model can also be used for crosstalk (XT) properties analysis, such as XT reduction amount versus trench width, trench depth, and other fiber structural parameters as compared with normal step-index MCFs. Furthermore, the model can be used to search for core positions for further XT reduction in nonclose-packed structures. For instance, we show that a dual-ring structure is the quasi-optimum core layout starting from an one-ring structured 12-core fiber. Based on the analytical model, a square-lattice structured 24-core fiber and a 32-core fiber are designed both for propagation-direction interleaving (PDI) and non-PDI transmission schemes. The proposed model provides a powerful tool for designing high-count homogeneous TA-MCFs.

Experimental demonstration of multidimensional switching nodes for all-optical data centre networks

We experimentally demonstrate network nodes that enable SDM/WDM/TDM switching. 1 Tbit/s/core error-free performance is achieved for connections with different granularities being switched between three network nodes interconnected with 7-core multicore fibres.

Phase Conjugated TwinWaves in 8×21×224Gbit/s DP-16QAM Multi-core Fiber Transmission

Efficient suppression of non-linear interactions has been numerically analyzed via phase conjugated twin waves in 8×21×224 Gbit/s multi-core fiber transmission. Results show a Q-factor improvement of 2.8 dB, consequently doubling the transmission distance.