OAM states generation/detection based on the multimode interference effect in a ring core fiber

In this paper, we propose to generate/detect orbital angular momentum (OAM) states based on the multimode interference (MMI) effect in a piece of ring core fiber. A comprehensive theory for the MMI process inside ring core fibers is presented. The MMI process inside ring core fibers will convert one input image into multiple equally spaced duplicated output images. After phase adjustment by a fixed phase shifter array, these output images will stimulate OAM states in the ring core fiber or in free space. Henceforth, a novel OAM multiplexer/de-multiplexer (MUX/DEMUX) can be realized by a piece of ring core fiber and a fixed phase shifters array. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America