Analysis of power transfer between two multi-core fibers with long-period gratings

Abstract

Here, we numerically propose and demonstrate a technique to couple light between two multi-core fibers (MCFs) using long-period gratings (LPGs). The light is coupled from one core of the input MCF to all cores of the output MCF. For that, an LPG is inscribed in the input core of the input MCF and identical LPGs are inscribed in all cores of the output MCF. First, the light is launched into the input core of the MCF and the optical power is transferred to the cladding due to the LPG inscribed in that core. The optical power in the cladding is then transferred to the other MCF cladding by evanescent field coupling. The optical power in the cladding of the output MCF is distributed by all its cores due to the identical LPGs inscribed in them. We optimized the LPGs period, their lengths and offset distance to increase the power transfer at 1480 nm. We achieved a power transfer of 92% of the input power, distributed by all MCF cores, in 10.6 cm of length. We also studied the power transfer sensitivity to the LPGs period.