Method of optical data transmission using mode division multiplexing

1. Method of optical data transmission using Mode Division Multiplexing, comprising

demultiplexing a plurality of incoming optical signals having respective incoming waveguide modes from an incoming optical multi-mode fiber into respective intermediate optical signals having essentially a fundamental waveguide mode, multiplexing said intermediate optical signals into respective outgoing optical signals having respective outgoing waveguide modes within an outgoing optical multi-mode fiber,

wherein the step of demultiplexing is carried out, using respective first optical spatial modulators, whose multiplicative patterns, correspond to the electrical field patterns of said incoming waveguide modes,

and wherein the step of multiplexing is carried out, using respective second optical spatial modulators, whose multiplicative patterns, correspond to the electrical field patterns of said outgoing waveguide modes,

wherein the steps of demultiplexing and multiplexing are carried out,

such that a first incoming optical signal, whose respective first incoming waveguide mode is of an azimuthal order equal to zero, results essentially in such a first outgoing optical signal, whose respective first outgoing waveguide mode is of an azimuthal order equal to zero,

and such that two second incoming optical signals, whose respective second incoming waveguide modes are

of a same azimuthal order greater than zero,

of a same radial order, and

orthogonal to each other

result essentially in such respective second outgoing signals, whose respective second outgoing waveguide modes are

of a same azimuthal order greater than zero,

of a same radial order, and

orthogonal to each other,

wherein said same azimuthal order of said second incoming waveguide modes is different from said same azimuthal order of said second outgoing waveguide modes,

and wherein said first incoming waveguide mode has a radial order that is different from a radial order of said first outgoing waveguide mode.

2. Method according to claim 1 ,

wherein said optical spatial modulators are phase- and/or amplitude-masks.

3. Method according to claim 2 ,

wherein said steps of demultiplexing and multiplexing are carried out, using 4f-correlators,

and wherein said optical spatial modulators are phase-masks having multiplicative phase patterns that correspond to the electrical field patterns of said incoming and said outgoing waveguide modes.

4. Method according to claim 3 ,

wherein said phase-masks are programmable liquid crystals on silicon.

5. Method according to claim 3 ,

wherein said phase-masks are fixed mode-selective phase masks.

6. Method according to claim 1 ,

wherein said intermediate optical signals are transmitted within respective single-mode optical fibers, within respective optical free-space paths or within respective waveguides of integrated devices.

7. Method according to claim 1 ,

wherein

an overall optical distance from said incoming multi-mode fiber to said outgoing multi-mode fiber for one of said two second incoming optical signals, its respective intermediate optical signal and its resulting respective outgoing optical signal is equal to

an overall optical distance from said incoming multi-mode fiber to said outgoing multi-mode fiber for the other of said two second incoming optical signals, its respective intermediate optical signal and its resulting respective outgoing optical signal.

8. Method according to claim 1 ,

wherein said first incoming waveguide mode is of a radial order that is different from a radial order of said respective first outgoing waveguide mode,

comprising furthermore receiving at least one control signal,

wherein

said radial order of said respective first outgoing waveguide mode

and said same azimuthal order and said same radial order of said respective second outgoing signals

are chosen in dependence on said control signal.

9. Method according to claim 1 ,

wherein

said same azimuthal order of said second incoming optical signals is different from said same azimuthal order of said second outgoing optical signals, and/or

said same radial order of said second incoming optical signals is different from said same radial order of said second outgoing optical signals.

10. Optical data transmission device for Mode Division Multiplexing, comprising

an optical mode demultiplexer, operable to demulitplex a plurality of incoming optical signals having respective incoming waveguide modes from an incoming optical multi-mode fiber into respective intermediate optical signals having essentially a fundamental waveguide mode,

an optical mode multiplexer, operable to multiplex said intermediate optical signals into respective outgoing optical signals having respective outgoing waveguide modes within an outgoing optical multi-mode fiber,

wherein said optical mode demultiplexer comprises respective first optical spatial modulators, whose multiplicative patterns are operable to correspond to the electrical field patterns of said incoming waveguide modes,

and wherein said optical mode multiplexer comprises respective second optical spatial modulators, whose multiplicative patterns are operable to correspond to the electrical field patterns of said outgoing waveguide modes,

wherein said optical mode demultiplexer and said optical mode multiplexer are operable,

such that a first incoming optical signal, whose respective first incoming waveguide mode is of an azimuthal order equal to zero, results essentially in such a first outgoing optical signal, whose respective first outgoing waveguide mode is of an azimuthal order equal to zero,

and such that two second incoming optical signals, whose respective second incoming waveguide modes are

of a same azimuthal order greater than zero,

of a same radial order, and

orthogonal to each other

result essentially in such respective second outgoing signals, whose respective second outgoing waveguide modes are

of a same azimuthal order greater than zero,

of a same radial order, and

orthogonal to each other,

wherein said same azimuthal order of said second incoming waveguide modes is different from said same azimuthal order of said second outgoing waveguide modes,

and wherein said first incoming waveguide mode has a radial order that is different from a radial order of said first outgoing waveguide mode.

11. Optical data transmission device according to claim 10 ,

wherein said optical spatial modulators are phase- and/or amplitude-masks.

12. Optical data transmission device according to claim 11 ,

wherein optical mode multiplexer and said optical mode demultiplexer comprise respective 4f-correlators,

and wherein said optical spatial modulators are phase-masks whose multiplicative phase patterns are operable to correspond to the electrical field patterns of said incoming and said outgoing waveguide modes.

13. Optical data transmission device according to claim 12

wherein said phase-masks are programmable liquid crystals on silicon.

14. Optical data transmission device according to claim 13 ,

wherein said phase-masks are fixed mode-selective phase masks.