Design considerations for multicore optical fibers in nonlinear switching and mode-locking applications

摘要: We explore the practical challenges that should be addressed when designing a multicore fiber coupler for nonlinear switching or mode-locking applications. The inevitable geometric imperfections formed in these couplers during fabrication process affect performance characteristics of device. Fabrication uncertainties are tolerable as long changes they impose on propagation constant modes smaller than linear coupling between cores. It is possible to reduce effect variations by bringing cores closer each other, thereby increasing coupling. However, higher translates into power, which may not desirable some situations. Therefore, errors limit minimum achievable power couplers.