Research on the Low-loss Low-crosstalk Bending-insensitive Seven-core Fiber

Abstract Multicore fiber is regarded as the most efficient way to realize SDM networks. Fabrication of low-loss and low-crosstalk multi-core fiber is the key to achieving high-capacity communication systems. This paper designed and fabricated low transmission loss seven-core single-mode fiber with a standard 125μm cladding diameter based on modified chemical vapor deposition. The preform of MCF is fabricated using drilling method. The seven-core fiber has achieved a low transmission loss of 0.19~0.28dB/km throughout the 1250-1600nm wavelength range. The transmission loss is below 0.19dB/km at 1550nm wavelength. The crosstalk is below -54dB/100km from 1200nm to 1600nm wavelength by utilizing a trench-assisted structure. At 1550nm wavelength, the bending loss (BL) is lower than 0.45dB/m with a bending radius of 5 mm, and the BL is 0.05dB/m with a bending radius of 15 mm. The fabricated multi-core fiber can be used for long-haul transmission and space division multiplexing communication systems.