Ultra-wideband optical diffractive network for mode multiplexing across the entire telecommunication range
Advancements in multi-band and space division multiplexing (SDM) technologies are rapidly progressing to support growing data traffic. Current research focuses on hybrid multiplexing in the C + L bands, pushing SDM systems to achieve capacities exceeding 10 Pb/s. Integrating ultra-wideband SDM systems with expanded spectrum leaps forward in transmission capacity. Here, we proposed a comprehensive model of an O + E + S + C + L + U ultra-wideband mode multiplexing transmission system to enhance spectrum utilization. A 4-linearly polarized mode multiplexer, designed utilizing ultra-wideband optical diffractive network with an end-to-end inverse design algorithm, achieves over 90% mode purity and mode crosstalk less than -17 dB, with below -8.87 dB in multiplexer-demultiplexer back-to-back systems, supporting a bandwidth exceeding 420 nm in experiments. Validations across O, E, S, C, L, and U bands demonstrate its efficacy in broadband wavelength-mode hybrid division multiplexing communications. The breakthrough in bandwidth and compatibility with existing application scenarios promise highly efficient ultra-high-speed communication systems for future applications.
Authors
- Bo Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2037-593X)
- Jianyu Long (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3161-9506)
- Aru Kong
- Jianxin Ren (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0752-7476)
- Ting Lei
- Xiaoyu Yan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3973-3669)
- Xiaocong Yuan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2605-9003)
- Kaihui Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8898-8989)
- Fufei Pang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8925-6947)
- Chen Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2710-4224)
- Rongyi Lin
- Xueli Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4056-3605)
- Yongyi Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9012-3463)
- Zhifeng Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3880-1957)
Institutions
- Shanghai University (CN)
- Shenzhen University (CN)
- Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (CN)
- Fudan University (CN)
- Nanjing University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Institute for Advanced Study (DE)
- State Key Laboratory of ASIC and System
- Tsinghua University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-12-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-66929-9
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Ultra-Wideband Communications Technology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.46
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
- Shenzhen University
- National Key Research and Development Program of China
- Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province