Confined optical beam-bending for direct connection among cores of different multicore fibers

Abstract

In future multicore optical fibers (MCFs) networks, it is crucial to have optical devices which can manipulate propagating signals directly without conversion back and forth to single-core optical fibers. That is because these conversions may degrade such networks potential high-capacity. In this work, a 90° silica-glass confined beam-bending (CBB) device with a bending-radius of 160 µm is numerically demonstrated. The CBB design and material allow for direct space-division connections among single-mode cores of different multi-core and/or single-core fibers without a need for special spot-size converters or mode tapers. The CBB can be cascaded to maneuver propagating beams around sharp corners in three-dimensional space in order to obtain flexible connections within small areas. A simple example of universal multicore connector between different optical fibers is also numerically demonstrated. The simulations show wideband operation over the S, C, L, and U wavelength range with small insertion-loss, polarization-dependent loss, in addition to reasonable return-loss and crosstalk. It also shows cascadability and good tolerance to MCFs core variations, in addition to CBB design parameters.