Investigation of Fan In and Fan Out Technologies for Multi Core Fiber

Abstract

Spatial division multiplexing based on the multi-core fiber has been believed as a promising and effective way to overcome the foreseeable capacity crunch of single mode fiber transmission. Fan-in Fan-out (FIFO) technology for multi-core fiber is the key to realize multi-core fiber space division multiplexing system, which can realize the optical coupling function from single multi-core fiber to multiple single core fiber. In this paper, we summarize the methods of multi-core fiber FIFO devices in the past decade, which includes fused type, fiber bundle type, free space type and three-dimensional integrated waveguide type. The fabrication methods and performance of several types of devices are analyzed and compared. Finally, the technology direction which can be widely used in the future is prospected.

Keywords

• multi core optical fiber
• optical fiber communication
• spatial division multiplexing
• insertion loss
• optical crosstalk