Few-Mode Fibers for Space Division Multiplexing

Mode Division Multiplexing: potential high number of usable spatial modes and strong mode overlapping (high spatial density and efficient pumping for amplification) FMFs for WEAKLY-COUPLED MDM 4-LP-mode Fibers have been reported, 7-LP-mode Fibers (capacity increase of a factor of 12) seem feasible Main limitations are Aeff, Attenuation and XT: new index profiles/concepts to be investigated to reach values ∼1000s km) Active research might soon overcome these limitations and allow for practical use in MDM systems.