Metasurface-based optical signal manipulation devices for optical fiber communications

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a fiber input, the fiber input comprising a plurality of input fiber cores receiving a plurality of input optical signals. The apparatus also comprises an optical signal manipulation device that is one of a fiber mode shuffler, a fiber coupler, a power splitter, or a 90-degree optical hybrid. The optical signal manipulation device comprises an input aperture held in spaced relation to the fiber input, an output aperture, and a plurality of metasurfaces that manipulate phase profiles of the plurality optical signals to generate a plurality of output optical signals having a different spatial arrangement than the input optical signal. A fiber output is held in spaced relation to the output aperture such that fiber cores of the fiber output receive the plurality of output optical signals.