Reduced footprint multiplane light propagation mode multiplexers

Abstract

We design, assemble and characterize three different multiplane light propagation (MPLC)-based mode multiplexers, including a device with reduced size, supporting 45, 45 and 36 spatial modes, respectively. Ranging from 2700 mm3 to 146 mm3, all devices achieve <-12 dB cross talk, showing that MPLC can enable compact multiplexers.