Low-Differential-Mode-Group-Delay 9-LP-Mode Fiber

We report the optimization of a few-mode fiber, adapted to multiple-input multiple-output mode division multiplexing, that supports 9 LP modes (15 spatial modes). The fiber is fabricated using standard multimode processes, which allows for tight process tolerances, yielding low differential mode group delays (< 155 ps/km) with low attenuations (< 0.22 dB/km), large effective areas ( >= 95 mu m(2)) and low bend losses.