Theoretical investigation of the space division multiplexing capacity of multimode step-index plastic optical fibers

Abstract

By solving the time-independent power flow equation (TI PFE), the effects of mode coupling and the width of the launch beam distribution (LBD) on two and three spatially multiplexed optical channels in a step-index plastic optical fibers (SI POFs) are examined. The fiber length at which the space division multiplexing (SDM) can be implemented with a minimal crosstalk between the neighboring optical channels is severely limited by mode coupling, according to the results. Additionally, the impact of the LBD width on the equilibrium mode distribution (EMD) is examined. The fiber length at which EMD is created increases when the LBD's width decreases. Thus, in the studied multimode SI POF, the two and three spatially multiplexed channels can be used with low crosstalk up to the fiber lengths, which are longer in the case of the narrower LBD. When creating an optical fiber transmission system for SDM, such characterization of the optical fibers should be taken into account.