Mode-Selective Photonic Lanterns with Double-Clad Fibers

Abstract: We present the design, fabrication, and characterization of mode-selective photonic lanterns using double-clad fibers. Here, we exploited several custom-pulled double-clad fibers to achieve the symmetry break required to excite higher-order modes. The resulting components are short and exhibit high modal isolation and low excess loss. They address some of the limitations of existing photonic lanterns in terms of fragility and coupling efficiency. The fabrication process involves the use of lower-index capillary tubes to maintain fiber geometry during fusion and tapering. Through the use of varying first cladding diameters, mode selectivity is achieved without sacrificing single-mode compatibility. This in turn allows proper real-time characterization during the whole fabrication process. Results demonstrate that double-clad fibers stacked inside a fluoride-doped capillary tube feature high modal isolation (above 60dB) and low excess loss (lower than 0.49dB), over a broad wavelength range (more than 250nm) with steeper taper profiles, and more robust components. The use of less expensive synthetic fused silica capillary tubes achieves high modal isolation (above 20dB) and excess loss lower than 2dB over the same broad wavelength range.