Complete Dispersion Measurement for Few-Mode Fibers with Large Mode Numbers Enabled by Multiplexer-Assisted S<sup>2</sup>

With the widespread use and increasing importance of few-mode fibers (FMFs), comprehensive dispersion measurement for FMFs with large mode numbers is in urgent demand. Among existing methods, spatially and spectrally resolved (S<sup>2</sup>) imaging technique offers distinct advantages f...

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Main Authors: Bingyi Zhao, Zhiqun Yang, Zhongze Lv, Huihui Wang, Yaping Liu, Zhanhua Huang, Lin Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Photonics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/6/561
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author Bingyi Zhao
Zhiqun Yang
Zhongze Lv
Huihui Wang
Yaping Liu
Zhanhua Huang
Lin Zhang
author_facet Bingyi Zhao
Zhiqun Yang
Zhongze Lv
Huihui Wang
Yaping Liu
Zhanhua Huang
Lin Zhang
author_sort Bingyi Zhao
collection DOAJ
description With the widespread use and increasing importance of few-mode fibers (FMFs), comprehensive dispersion measurement for FMFs with large mode numbers is in urgent demand. Among existing methods, spatially and spectrally resolved (S<sup>2</sup>) imaging technique offers distinct advantages for measuring differential mode group delay (DMGD) and chromatic dispersion (CD) parameters. However, it suffers from several limitations such as uncontrollable mode excitation and an inability to measure absolute CD. In this study, we enhance the traditional S<sup>2</sup> method, making it possible to effectively measure the complete dispersion for high-mode-count FMFs. By introducing a mode multiplexer (MMUX), selectively and proportionally mode excitation can be realized. Combined with a tunable delay line array, the misalignment of the MMUX’s fiber pigtail lengths is canceled. Additionally, with the help of a reference path capable of generating planar light, the measurement of the absolute CD is enabled. Based on the enhanced MMUX-assisted S<sup>2</sup>, a simultaneous DMGD and absolute CD measurement for an FMF supporting up to six LP modes is conducted, which has not been previously demonstrated with a single S<sup>2</sup>-based system. The proposed paradigm significantly expands the mode number of FMF measurable by S<sup>2</sup>, enriches the parameters that S<sup>2</sup> can cover, and even has great inspiration for other measurement methods.
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spelling doaj-art-c9eb902234cf4c04a34f1c5d99faf6162025-08-20T02:21:53ZengMDPI AGPhotonics2304-67322025-06-0112656110.3390/photonics12060561Complete Dispersion Measurement for Few-Mode Fibers with Large Mode Numbers Enabled by Multiplexer-Assisted S<sup>2</sup>Bingyi Zhao0Zhiqun Yang1Zhongze Lv2Huihui Wang3Yaping Liu4Zhanhua Huang5Lin Zhang6State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Opto-Electronics Technologies and Devices, School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Opto-Electronics Technologies and Devices, School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Opto-Electronics Technologies and Devices, School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Opto-Electronics Technologies and Devices, School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Opto-Electronics Technologies and Devices, School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Opto-Electronics Technologies and Devices, School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Technology of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Opto-Electronics Technologies and Devices, School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaWith the widespread use and increasing importance of few-mode fibers (FMFs), comprehensive dispersion measurement for FMFs with large mode numbers is in urgent demand. Among existing methods, spatially and spectrally resolved (S<sup>2</sup>) imaging technique offers distinct advantages for measuring differential mode group delay (DMGD) and chromatic dispersion (CD) parameters. However, it suffers from several limitations such as uncontrollable mode excitation and an inability to measure absolute CD. In this study, we enhance the traditional S<sup>2</sup> method, making it possible to effectively measure the complete dispersion for high-mode-count FMFs. By introducing a mode multiplexer (MMUX), selectively and proportionally mode excitation can be realized. Combined with a tunable delay line array, the misalignment of the MMUX’s fiber pigtail lengths is canceled. Additionally, with the help of a reference path capable of generating planar light, the measurement of the absolute CD is enabled. Based on the enhanced MMUX-assisted S<sup>2</sup>, a simultaneous DMGD and absolute CD measurement for an FMF supporting up to six LP modes is conducted, which has not been previously demonstrated with a single S<sup>2</sup>-based system. The proposed paradigm significantly expands the mode number of FMF measurable by S<sup>2</sup>, enriches the parameters that S<sup>2</sup> can cover, and even has great inspiration for other measurement methods.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/6/561few-mode fiberS<sup>2</sup> characterizationmodal dispersionchromatic dispersion
spellingShingle Bingyi Zhao
Zhiqun Yang
Zhongze Lv
Huihui Wang
Yaping Liu
Zhanhua Huang
Lin Zhang
Complete Dispersion Measurement for Few-Mode Fibers with Large Mode Numbers Enabled by Multiplexer-Assisted S<sup>2</sup>
Photonics
few-mode fiber
S<sup>2</sup> characterization
modal dispersion
chromatic dispersion
title Complete Dispersion Measurement for Few-Mode Fibers with Large Mode Numbers Enabled by Multiplexer-Assisted S<sup>2</sup>
title_full Complete Dispersion Measurement for Few-Mode Fibers with Large Mode Numbers Enabled by Multiplexer-Assisted S<sup>2</sup>
title_fullStr Complete Dispersion Measurement for Few-Mode Fibers with Large Mode Numbers Enabled by Multiplexer-Assisted S<sup>2</sup>
title_full_unstemmed Complete Dispersion Measurement for Few-Mode Fibers with Large Mode Numbers Enabled by Multiplexer-Assisted S<sup>2</sup>
title_short Complete Dispersion Measurement for Few-Mode Fibers with Large Mode Numbers Enabled by Multiplexer-Assisted S<sup>2</sup>
title_sort complete dispersion measurement for few mode fibers with large mode numbers enabled by multiplexer assisted s sup 2 sup
topic few-mode fiber
S<sup>2</sup> characterization
modal dispersion
chromatic dispersion
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/6/561
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