Integrated Multiband-Mode Multiplexing Photonic Lantern for Selective Mode Excitation and Preservation

We propose and experimentally demonstrate an Integrated Multiband-Mode Multiplexing Photonic Lantern (IM3PL) that enables the selective excitation of high-order modes and stable modal preservation across multiple wavelength bands. As a proof-of-concept configuration, the IM3PL integrates a custom-de...

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Main Authors: Li Zhao, Ting Yu, Yunhao Chen, Jianing Tang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Photonics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/7/729
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author Li Zhao
Ting Yu
Yunhao Chen
Jianing Tang
author_facet Li Zhao
Ting Yu
Yunhao Chen
Jianing Tang
author_sort Li Zhao
collection DOAJ
description We propose and experimentally demonstrate an Integrated Multiband-Mode Multiplexing Photonic Lantern (IM3PL) that enables the selective excitation of high-order modes and stable modal preservation across multiple wavelength bands. As a proof-of-concept configuration, the IM3PL integrates a custom-designed input fiber array composed of three 980 nm single-mode fibers (SMFs) and two few-mode fibers (FMFs) operating at 1310 nm and 1550 nm, respectively. Simulations verify that 980 nm input signals can selectively excite <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>L</mi><msub><mi>P</mi><mrow><mn>01</mn></mrow></msub></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>L</mi><msub><mi>P</mi><mrow><mn>11</mn><mi>a</mi></mrow></msub></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>L</mi><msub><mi>P</mi><mrow><mn>11</mn><mi>b</mi></mrow></msub></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> modes at the FMF output, while the modal integrity of high-order linear polarized modes is preserved at 1310 nm and 1550 nm. The fabricated IM3PL device is experimentally validated via near-field pattern measurements, confirming the selective excitation at 980 nm and low-loss, mode-preserving transmission at the signal bands. This work offers a scalable and reconfigurable solution for multiband high-order-mode multiplexing, with promising applications in mode-division multiplexed fiber communication systems and multiband high-mode fiber lasers.
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spelling doaj-art-262f286d5347472c862a7c842ba2ed652025-08-20T03:08:10ZengMDPI AGPhotonics2304-67322025-07-0112772910.3390/photonics12070729Integrated Multiband-Mode Multiplexing Photonic Lantern for Selective Mode Excitation and PreservationLi Zhao0Ting Yu1Yunhao Chen2Jianing Tang3School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming 650500, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Information Engineering, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming 650500, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Information Engineering, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming 650500, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Information Engineering, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming 650500, ChinaWe propose and experimentally demonstrate an Integrated Multiband-Mode Multiplexing Photonic Lantern (IM3PL) that enables the selective excitation of high-order modes and stable modal preservation across multiple wavelength bands. As a proof-of-concept configuration, the IM3PL integrates a custom-designed input fiber array composed of three 980 nm single-mode fibers (SMFs) and two few-mode fibers (FMFs) operating at 1310 nm and 1550 nm, respectively. Simulations verify that 980 nm input signals can selectively excite <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>L</mi><msub><mi>P</mi><mrow><mn>01</mn></mrow></msub></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>L</mi><msub><mi>P</mi><mrow><mn>11</mn><mi>a</mi></mrow></msub></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>L</mi><msub><mi>P</mi><mrow><mn>11</mn><mi>b</mi></mrow></msub></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> modes at the FMF output, while the modal integrity of high-order linear polarized modes is preserved at 1310 nm and 1550 nm. The fabricated IM3PL device is experimentally validated via near-field pattern measurements, confirming the selective excitation at 980 nm and low-loss, mode-preserving transmission at the signal bands. This work offers a scalable and reconfigurable solution for multiband high-order-mode multiplexing, with promising applications in mode-division multiplexed fiber communication systems and multiband high-mode fiber lasers.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/7/729photonic lanternmultiband-mode multiplexinghigh-order-mode excitationmode preservationfew-mode fiber (FMF)mode-division multiplexing (MDM)
spellingShingle Li Zhao
Ting Yu
Yunhao Chen
Jianing Tang
Integrated Multiband-Mode Multiplexing Photonic Lantern for Selective Mode Excitation and Preservation
Photonics
photonic lantern
multiband-mode multiplexing
high-order-mode excitation
mode preservation
few-mode fiber (FMF)
mode-division multiplexing (MDM)
title Integrated Multiband-Mode Multiplexing Photonic Lantern for Selective Mode Excitation and Preservation
title_full Integrated Multiband-Mode Multiplexing Photonic Lantern for Selective Mode Excitation and Preservation
title_fullStr Integrated Multiband-Mode Multiplexing Photonic Lantern for Selective Mode Excitation and Preservation
title_full_unstemmed Integrated Multiband-Mode Multiplexing Photonic Lantern for Selective Mode Excitation and Preservation
title_short Integrated Multiband-Mode Multiplexing Photonic Lantern for Selective Mode Excitation and Preservation
title_sort integrated multiband mode multiplexing photonic lantern for selective mode excitation and preservation
topic photonic lantern
multiband-mode multiplexing
high-order-mode excitation
mode preservation
few-mode fiber (FMF)
mode-division multiplexing (MDM)
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/7/729
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AT tingyu integratedmultibandmodemultiplexingphotoniclanternforselectivemodeexcitationandpreservation
AT yunhaochen integratedmultibandmodemultiplexingphotoniclanternforselectivemodeexcitationandpreservation
AT jianingtang integratedmultibandmodemultiplexingphotoniclanternforselectivemodeexcitationandpreservation