Design and Analysis of Beam Steering Multicore Fiber Optical Switches

The design and performance characteristics of a beam steering optical switch for multicore fibers (MCFs) are reported. Port count, core count, transmission crosstalk, or a combination thereof can be optimized for the required application. Decreasing port separation or increasing the maximum steering angle both increase port count, whilst a higher core count or larger mode field diameter increase port capacity or port count, respectively, at the expense of greater intercore crosstalk. Potential losses from system misalignments and fiber fabrication variations in the core pitch are also estimated. A 50 port switch is possible for a 25 mu m core pitch 7 core hexagonal trench assisted MCF (TA-MCF) with a total mean statistical crosstalk on the central core of -25 dB after 1 km, assuming an operational wavelength of 1550 nm and maximum collimator actuator angle of 10 degrees. In contrast, a high capacity 25 mu m core pitch 61 core hexagonal TA-MCF can still offer up to a 5 port switch for the same level of crosstalk. For longer link distances, -25 dB crosstalk after 100 km (metro network) is achievable for a 50 port switch using a 35 mu m core pitch 7 core TA-MCF. Similar levels of crosstalk can be accomplished at 1000 km (core network) for a 41 port switch using a 25 mu m core pitch 7 core TA-MCF.