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Multicore Optical Fiber

ADVANCED IMAGING, SHAPE SENSING, ENHANCED POWER DELIVERY, SPECTROSCOPY

Multicore Optical Fiber Advantages

Lightera Multicore Optical Fiber is an innovative approach to fiber design and has the potential to revolutionize the way data is transmitted, improving speed, efficiency, and performance.

Multicore fiber (MCF) refers to an optical fiber that contains multiple cores or light guiding cores within a single strand of optical fiber. It’s designed to offer higher bandwidth capacity compared to traditional single-core optical fibers, enabling the transmission of more signals simultaneously over optical fiber.

Increased Bandwidth

One of the biggest advantages of Lightera Multicore Optical Fiber is its ability to increase bandwidth. MCF provides:

An increase in fiber density and bandwidth while maintaining the same small form factor
Excellent performance in crosstalk and insertion loss

INNOVATION

Multicore Optical Fiber Design

Scientists at Lightera Labs have engineered MCF fiber for a wide variety of high-capacity applications for communications and industrial networks including Subsea, Terrestrial, Sensing and Power Delivery. MCF prototypes in both single-mode (SM) and multi-mode (MM) with a multiple of cores ranging from 4 to 8 have been produced.

Lightera is currently sampling MCF solutions to select customers. Contact us and one of our optical fiber experts will be more than happy to assist you.

Markets and Applications

Multicore Optical Fiber can be in a wide range of markets and applications. Lightera technical papers and presentations are provided to illustrate our MCF innovations.

Medical

Multicore Optical Fiber is used in medical applications, such as imaging and diagnostics, to provide high-speed and high-resolution data transmission.

Learn More

Industrial & Sensing

Using MCF as a small-diameter sensing element to provide a high-density waveguide count.

White Paper: A multicore optical fiber for distributed sensing

White Paper: A miniature turn-around for distributed temperature sensing

Power Delivery

High-power MCFs can deliver precise amounts of energy for numerous applications such as laser cutting, laser surgeries, and quantum computing. By handling different quantum states simultaneously in individual cores, MCFs enhance overall system efficiency and safety, transforming photon-based quantum systems.

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Data Center

Intra Data Center

White Paper: End-to-End Multicore Multimode Fiber Optic Link Operating up to 120 G\b/s

Inter Data Center

White Paper: 800 Gbps Transmission over 8-core MM-MCF for Short Reach Datacom Interconnects

Subsea / Ocean

MCF is used to provide high-speed data transmission across long distances in subsea or ocean environments. This is crucial for applications like offshore oil and gas exploration, where real-time data from subsea sensors needs to be transmitted to the surface.

White Paper: Fiber options for support of 1 to 5 Peta bit subsea cables

White Paper: Perspectives on Multicore Fiber (MCF) Platforms vs. Incumbent Technology

Communication

Multicore Optical Fiber is used in communication networks to provide reliable and efficient transmission of voice, data, and video signals over long distances.

White Paper: Is now the time to standardize MCF in communication networks?

White Paper: Perspectives on Multicore Fiber (MCF) Platforms vs. Incumbent Technology

Passive Optical Network

Low cost, high fiber count, high density cables are necessary to construct practical PON systems for future optical access networks. Multicore fiber (MCF) offers a possible solution to increase the fiber density and overcome cable size limitations and duct congestion problems.

White Paper: Seven-core multicore fiber transmissions for passive optical network

Splicing

Fast, low-loss and high-strength splicing capabilities are key requirements for the deployment of MCF. In combination with 3-electrode arc-discharging Fitel S185PM ROF splicer, we achieved an almost 100% alignment success rate with splicing times of only 90 seconds and single-core-fiber like splice losses of less than 0.03 dB on average for two different 4-core fiber designs, regardless of polarity.

White Paper: Less Than 0.03 dB Multicore Fiber Passive Fusion Splicing Using New Azimuthal Alignment Algorithm and 3-Electrode Arc-Discharging System

Multicore-Landing-Page-Portfolio-gray_FusionSplicer

Lightera Multicore Optical Fiber Portfolio

Lightera is a leading manufacturer of optical fiber and cable products, providing cutting-edge solutions for various applications in the telecommunications, industrial, and specialty markets. Lightera can offer a complete portfolio of MCF solutions.

Lightera is currently sampling MCF solutions to select customers.
Contact us and one of our optical fiber experts will be more than happy to assist you

Multicore Optical Fiber News

March 6, 2023 – Lightera Develops Multicore Fibers (MCF) for its Submarine Fiber Portfolio.

Read Press Release

Discover the Lightera Advantage Today

Lightera is proud to serve the unique needs industries world wide. We are constantly innovating to meet the demands of our customers. Need help finding the right product for your application, or interested in a customized solution? Reach out to Lightera today.