A new architecture for high speed core-selective switch for multicore fibers

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel high-speed, core-selective optical switch for multicore fibers, demonstrating real-world operation with significantly faster switching speeds than existing devices, crucial for next-generation high-capacity optical networks.

Contribution

The paper presents a new multicore interference-based switch architecture capable of sub-microsecond switching speeds and low crosstalk, compatible with standard multiplexing for advanced optical networking.

Findings

Switching time less than 0.7 microseconds

Achieved average inter-core crosstalk below -18 dB

Successfully demonstrated in real multicore fiber network

Abstract

The use of multicore optical fibers is now recognized as one of the most promising methods to implement the space-division multiplexing techniques required to overcome the impending capacity limit of conventional single-mode optical fibers. Nonetheless, new devices for networking operations compatible with these fibers will be required in order to implement the next-generation high-capacity optical networks. In this work, we develop a new architecture to build a high-speed core-selective switch, critical for efficiently distributing signals over the network. The device relies on multicore interference, and can change among outputs in less than 0.7 us, while achieving less than -18 dB of average inter-core crosstalk, making it compatible with a wide range of network switching tasks. The functionality of the device was demonstrated by routing a 1GBs optical signal and by successfully switching signals over a field-installed multicore fiber network. Our results demonstrate for the first time the operation of a multicore optical fiber switch functioning under real-world conditions, with switching speeds that are three orders of magnitude faster than current commercial devices. This new optical switch design is also fully compatible with standard multiplexing techniques and, thus, represents an important achievement towards the integration of high-capacity multicore telecommunication networks.