A Research about Mode Multiplexing/Demultiplexing Technology

With the rapid increase of internet capacity, the transmission capacity of optical fiber communication systems is approaching to the nonlinear Shannon limit of single-mode fiber. Recently, mode division multiplexing (MDM) technology is widely studied due to its ability to increase the communication capacity. Mode multiplexing/demultiplexing is one of the key technologies for implementing MDM. A variety of mode multiplexing/demultiplexing solutions have been reported, such as phase plate structure, spatial light modulator (SLM) structure, multi-core fiber structure, photonic lantern, mode-selective coupler, silicon-based mode multiplexer. In this paper, the basic principles of those solutions and the relevant latest experimental results are discussed and reviewed.