Optimal SMF packing in photonic lanterns: comparing theoretical topology to practical packing arrangements

TL;DR

This paper compares theoretical circle packing arrangements with practical fiber packing in photonic lanterns, demonstrating that topological data effectively predicts optimal fiber arrangements and packing densities.

Contribution

It provides experimental validation that topological circle packing data can guide the design of high-density fiber arrangements in photonic lanterns.

Findings

Achieved packing densities of 95% and 99% of theoretical maximums.

Demonstrated mean core separations close to fiber diameter.

Validated topological circle packing as a predictor for practical arrangements.

Abstract

Photonic lanterns rely on a close packed arrangement of single mode fibers, which are tapered and fused into one multi-mode core. Topologically optimal circle packing arrangements have been well studied. Using this, we fabricate PLs with 19 and 37 SMFs showing tightly packed, ordered arrangements with packing densities of 95 % and 99 % of theoretically achievable values, with mean adjacent core separations of 1.03 and 1.08 fiber diameters, respectively. We demonstrate that topological circle packing data is a good predictor for optimal PL parameters.