Data interchange across cores of multi-core optical fibers

• A device for data interchange across cores of multi-core fiber is demonstrated.
• Both FDTD and EME are utilized to verify device operation and asses its performance.
• The device shows an excellent performance over S–C–L–U wavelength wideband range.
• It has compact-size with high coupling-factor in addition to negligible cross-talk, back-reflection, ​and return-loss.
• The device shows polarization independent operation.

A novel device for data interchange among space-division multiplexed cores inside MCF is demonstrated using numerical simulations. The device allows complete exchange of all WDM data channels between MCF cores in propagation direction whether the channels have the same or different sets of wavelengths. This is crucial in future MCF optical networks where in-fiber data interchange over space-division multiplexed cores can allow for a simple and fast data swapping among cores without a need for space-division demultiplexing to single-mode single-core fibers. The data core-interchange (DCI) device consists of a graded refractive-index rectangular waveguide enclosing the two interchanged cores in addition to the cladding region in between them. Both finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) and eigenmode expansion (EME) simulations are performed to verify the device operation and characterize its performance. The simulations demonstrate that the DCI has a very short-length with polarization independent operation, and high performance over the broadband wavelength range S, C, L, and U bands. Moreover, the device shows a high coupling-factor of −0.13 dB with small cross-talk, back-reflection, and return-loss of −26.3, −46.1, and −48.8 dB, respectively.