Large Spatial Channel (36-Core × 3 mode) Heterogeneous Few-Mode Multicore Fiber

We describe the design and characterization of a heterogeneous 36-core, three-mode fiber with three core types. Intercore crosstalk for LP
₁₁
modes is estimated to be below -31 dB for 5.5 km propagation at a core pitch of 34 μm. Feasibility of 108 space/mode division multiplexed transmission is investigated using free-space multiplexing/demultiplexing technologies, 40-wavelength division multiplexed, 25 GBd, 93.4-Gb/s dual-polarization QPSK signals, and coherent detection with a sparse 6 × 6 MIMO equalizer. The total transmission capacity amount to 403.7 Tb/s.