Design of small mode-dependent-loss scrambling-type mode (de) multiplexer based on PLC

A general design rule of scrambling-type mode (de)multiplexers (mode scramblers) based on silica planar lightwave circuit (PLC) with small mode-dependent-loss (MDL) is presented for a mode-division multiplexing (MDM) system. First, we consider four- and eight-mode scramblers and demonstrate that if the number of modes is 2(N), it is possible to construct small-MDL mode scramblers by using Y-branch waveguides and mode rotators. Next, a 6-mode scrambler, which can be used for four linearly polarized (LP) mode transmission in MDM system, is considered, and the MDL is large if Y-branch waveguides are cascaded simply, originating from the radiation loss of unwanted modes at the Y-branch. We propose a 2 + 4-type mode scrambler by combining 2- and 4-mode scramblers and demonstrate that it is possible to design a small MDL 6-mode scrambler. (C) 2020 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement