Multicore fibers with 10 and 16 single-mode cores for the visible spectrum

We report multicore fibers (MCFs) with 10 and 16 linearly distributed cores with single-mode operation in the visible spectrum. The average propagation loss of the cores is 0.06 dB/m at lambda = 445nm and < 0.03 dB/m at wavelengths longer than 488 nm. The low inter-core crosstalk and nearly identical performance of the coresmake theseMCFssuitable for spatial division multiplexing in the visible spectrum. As a proof-of-concept application, one of the MCFs was coupled to an implantable neural probe to spatially address light-emitting gratings on the probe. (C) 2021 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

This study reports multicore fibers with 10 and 16 linearly distributed cores that can operate in single mode in the visible spectrum. These fibers have low propagation loss and inter-core crosstalk, making them suitable for spatial division multiplexing in the visible spectrum.