Optical aspects of space-division multiplexing with orthogonal modes of coherent light were considered in theory and experiments with the coherent optical correlator. We resorted to the mathematical tool of generating functions and technologies of diffractive optical elements to implement complex spatial filters matched to rotationally symmetrical transverse modes. Successful multiplexing and demultiplexing in free-space transmission of low-frequency temporally modulated signals through different spatial modes was demonstrated. Experimental results show low cross talk between different mode channels and feasibility of further applications in multimode fiber optical communication data links.
In this letter we report on the excitation of low order Laguerre-Gaussian mode groups with a common propagation constant in a multimode gradient index optical fiber. Enabling generic space-division multiplexer was based on a key multichannel diffractive optical element. The experimental results show integrity of the excited mode groups in an OM2 multimode fiber optic patch cord.
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