Nonlinear Coupling Coefficients in Multimode Fibers for the Strong Coupling Regime Within Mode Groups and Across Mode Groups

Abstract

We study the nonlinear coupling coefficients appearing in the Manakov equations for multimode fibers (MMF) for space-division multiplexing operating in the two regimes of strong coupling only within mode groups and strong coupling also across mode groups. The analysis is mainly focused on the trenchless parabolic graded-index MMFs, but considerations on the step-index profile, and on the use of realistic trenches and non-parabolic indices are given. Analytic results for the Manakov nonlinearity coefficients are derived for the first time, and validation is performed through a numerical approach. We show that the coefficients are approximately independent on the fiber core radius and refractive index difference, but depend only on the number of guided modes. Values of nonlinear coefficients are computed also for optimized and manufactured MMFs described in the literature, and are placed within the developed framework. The impact of a poor fiber design on the achievable data rates of the MMF nonlinear channel is discussed for a simple scenario.Comment: Submitted to the "Next-Generation Optical Communications and Networking" special issue of the IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communication