Efficient and mode selective spatial mode multiplexer based on Multi-Plane Light Conversion

Abstract

We designed and built a new type of spatial mode multiplexer, based on Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC), with very low intrinsic loss and high mode selectivity. In this first demonstration we show that a typical 3-mode multiplexer achieves a mode selectivity better than -23 dB and a total insertion efficiency of -4.1 dB (optical coating improvements could increase efficiency to -2.4 dB), across the full C-band. Moreover this multiplexer is able to perform any mode conversion, and we demonstrate its performance for the first 6 eigenmodes of a few-mode fiber: LP$_{01}$, LP$_{11\mathrm{a}}$, LP$_{11\mathrm{b}}$, LP$_{02}$, LP$_{21\mathrm{a}}$ and LP$_{21\mathrm{b}}$.