Development of a robust OAM demonstration platform and MIMO-aided modal coupling characterization

轨道角动量(OAM)模是光纤通信中空间复用的很有前途的候选模式。不存在用于这些模式的商用光纤组件(耦合器、发生器、探测器)；这些功能可以在复杂的整体光学实验装置中实现。我们的实验室中有一个整体光学实验平台，可以研究OAM在拉瓦尔大学生产的专用光纤中的传播。在这个CRD项目为期一年的时间里，我们将完善我们的平台，以实现三种类型光纤的稳定性和健壮性：反抛物线渐变折射率分布(IPGIF)、空芯光纤和环形光纤。我们还将开发一种实验技术，利用多输入多输出(MIMO)处理来表征这些光纤在不同传播距离处诱导的模式耦合。

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes are promising candidates for spatial multiplexing in optical fiber communications. No commercial fiber-based components (couplers, generators, detectors) exist for these modes; these functions can be achieved in elaborate bulk optics experimental setups. A bulk optics experimental platform exists in our lab, permitting research into OAM propagation in specialized optical fiber produced at Université Laval. During the one year tenure of this CRD project we will refine our platform for stability and robustness for three types of optical fiber: inverse parabolic graded index profile (IPGIF), air core fiber and ring fiber. We will also develop an experimental technique exploiting multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) processing to characterize the modal coupling induced in these fibers at various propagation distances.