Analysis of Localized Modes in Disordered Optical Waveguides Mediated by Transverse Anderson Localization

Disordered waveguides mediated by transverse Anderson localization (TAL) can be used as mode division multiplexing system. The whole cross-section of the disordered waveguides is covered by all localized modes, which function as independent space channels. The localized modes are independent of the boundary and external excitation. The numerical results reveal that the average width tends to be steady in one particular realization of the disordered waveguide with a sufficient number of localized modes. In this paper, we proposed that localization length can be measured by the average width of localized modes. Besides, we explore the impact of the disordered waveguide design parameters, such as refractive index contrast, fill-fraction, and feature size, on the average width of localized modes.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the potential of disordered waveguides mediated by transverse Anderson localization for mode division multiplexing systems. The average width of localized modes is proposed as a measurement for localization length, while the design parameters of disordered waveguides have an impact on the average width of localized modes.