Two-Mode Converters at 1.3μm Based on Multimode Interference Couplers on InP Substrates

Two-mode converters at 1.3 μm, aiming at applications in mode-division multiplexing in Ethernet systems, are proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Based on multimode interference couplers, the two-mode converters with 50% and 66% mode conversion efficiencies are designed and fabricated on InP substrates. Mode conversion from the fundamental mode (TE_0) to the first order mode (TE_1) is successfully demonstrated within the wavelength range of 1280–1320 nm. The 1.3-μm mode converters should be important devices in mode-division multiplexing systems in Ethernet systems.