Nonlinear impairments in mode division multiplexed systems

Abstract

In this paper we consider nonlinear impairments of mode division multiplexed signals with QAM modulation in optical fibers with linear mode coupling of spatial modes. We simulate simultaneous propagation of fundamental mode and two first-order vortex modes in standard single mode fiber at 850 nm and propagation of fundamental mode and first-and second-order vortices in step-index fiber with enlarged core at 1550 nm. Simulation results shows that in strong coupling regime linear coupling lead to sufficient increasing of nonlinear impairments, but QAM-modulated signal is more robust to this effect than OOK modulated signal.