Induced mode mixing in SDM optical communications for reduced computation complexity

As widely discussed in literature, space domain multiplexing (SDM) signal evolution in fiber transmission is determined by the coupling mechanism between the guided modes. In this paper we demonstrate the advantages of distributed mode mixing in SDM fiber, and introduce a novel, low loss and compact mode scrambler for efficient strong mixing. The mode scrambler is optimized to have minimum loss and maximum inter-mode crosstalk by spatial phase elements, and designed to be printed directly on fiber tip.