New 3D-scale printed photonic beacon opens up possibilities for spatial mode multiplexing

Optical waves propagating through air or multimode fiber can be modeled or decomposed using orthogonal spatial modes, with wide applications in imaging, communication, and directed energy. However, systems that perform these wavefront manipulations are cumbersome and large, limiting their use in high-end applications.

The development of a free-scale spatial mode (de-)multiplexer photonic beacon using 3D nanoprinting, as revealed by a recent study, marks a significant advance in photonics technology. This spatial multiplexer, characterized by its compactness, minimal footprint and ability to print and attach directly to photonic circuits, optical fibers and optoelectronic elements such as lasers and photodetectors, opens up new opportunities in system integration and future technology adoption . -Capacity communication systems and demanding imaging modalities.

The work was published in the journal Light: Science & Applications.

The study by Ph.D. candidate student Yoav Dana, supervised by Professor Dan Marom and his team at the Institute of Applied Physics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in partnership with scientists from Nokia Bell Labs, resulted in the development and demonstration of a space-mode photonic beacon at scale free. (de-)multiplexer. The tiny photonic beacon was created by a 3D nanoprinting technique using direct laser writing applied directly to a fiber optic tip.

Photonic beacon devices convert between optical waves containing a superposition of modes or distorted wavefronts and a series of single-mode separated optical signals. The technology stands out as a promising contender to enable space division multiplexing (SDM) in future high-capacity optical communication networks, as well as in imaging and other applications requiring spatial manipulation of optical waves.

By exploiting the capabilities of 3D nano-printing and using high-contrast waveguides, researchers have developed a compact and versatile device that can be printed on almost any solid platform with high precision and fidelity, enabling its integration of smoothly in a variety of technologies. contexts. The ~100 micrometer-scale device stands in stark contrast to traditional photonic beacons based on weak waveguides that are millimeters-centimeters long, making integration with small-scale photonic systems very challenging.

“The development of this scale-free spatial mode photonic (de-)multiplexer represents a significant advance in our ability to enable and adopt spatial multiplexing for various optical systems and applications,” said Professor Dan Marom. “This breakthrough makes space division multiplexing technology much more accessible and amenable to integration, opening up new possibilities for optical communication and imaging applications, to name a few.”

Researchers have presented the device design using genetic algorithms, the fabrication on a fiber tip, and the characterization of a 375µm-long six-mode mixing photonic lantern capable of switching between six single-mode inputs on a single-mode waveguide. six ways. Despite its compact size, the device exhibits low insertion loss (-2.6 dB), low wavelength sensitivity, and low polarization and mode-dependent losses (-0.2 dB and -4.4 dB).