Space-division multiplexing in optical fibres

• Published in: Nature photonics Vol. 7; no. 5; pp. 354 - 362
• Main Authors: Richardson, D. J., Fini, J. M., Nelson, L. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01-05-2013; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 639/624/1075/187; Applied and Technical Physics; Carrying capacity; Channels; Economics; Fibers; Fibres; Multiplexing; Optical fibers; Physics; Polarization; Quantum Physics; review-article; Wavelengths
• ISSN: 1749-4885; 1749-4893
• DOI: 10.1038/nphoton.2013.94

This Review summarizes the simultaneous transmission of several independent spatial channels of light along optical fibres to expand the data-carrying capacity of optical communications. Recent results achieved in both multicore and multimode optical fibres are documented.
Optical communication technology has been advancing rapidly for several decades, supporting our increasingly information-driven society and economy. Much of this progress has been in finding innovative ways to increase the data-carrying capacity of a single optical fibre. To achieve this, researchers have explored and attempted to optimize multiplexing in time, wavelength, polarization and phase. Commercial systems now utilize all four dimensions to send more information through a single fibre than ever before. The spatial dimension has, however, remained untapped in single fibres, despite it being possible to manufacture fibres supporting hundreds of spatial modes or containing multiple cores, which could be exploited as parallel channels for independent signals.