Cross-talk in mode-division-multiplex optical fiber transmission systems

Abstract
Multi-core and multi-mode fibers are compared for the use in future mode-division-multiplex transmission systems. While trench assisted multi-core fibers with 37 cores and a cross-talk of less than -63 dB may be designed; a principal mode based mode-division-multiplex transmission with multi-mode fibers will significantly suffer under high cross-talk.