Systems and methods for processing space-multiplexed optical signals

A space-division multiplexed optical system for processing space-multiplexed optical signals, the system comprising:

• a SDM multi-core input fiber that comprises multiple cores, each core being configured to simultaneously propagate a separate optical signal, wherein each of the separate optical signals comprises a plurality of different wavelengths;
• a photonic signal processor configured to receive the optical signals and simultaneously processes those signals;
• a first at least one tilted, light refracting surface disposed between the input fiber and the photonic signal processor adapted to redirect a plurality of the optical signals before they are input to the photonic signal processor;
• a multi-core output fiber having the same number of cores as the input fiber, the cores being configured to receive the processed optical signals from the photonic signal processor;
• a second at least one tilted, light refracting surface disposed between the photonic signal processor and the output fiber configured to redirect at least one of the processed optical signals toward a core of the output fiber;
• a first lens positioned between the first tilted, light refracting surface and the photonic signal processor;
• and
• a second lens positioned between the photonic signal processor and the second tilted, light refracting surface;
• wherein the optical signals propagated by the input fiber are imaged onto the output fiber with the first and second tilted, light refracting surfaces and the lenses.

A method for processing space-multiplexed optical signals, the method comprising:

• propagating multiple spatially-separated optical signals in a space-multiplexed optical system in an input fiber, wherein each of the spatially-separated optical signals comprises a plurality of different wavelengths;
• redirecting at least one of the optical signals through free-space propagation with a first angled planar surface to further separate the optical signals;
• receiving the optical signals with a photonic signal processor and simultaneously processing the optical signals with the photonic signal processor;
• and
• redirecting at least one of the processed optical signals through free-space propagation to an output fiber with a second angled planar surface.

A space-division multiplexed optical system for processing space-multiplexed optical signals, the system comprising:

• an input fiber that propagates multiple spatially-separated optical signals, wherein each of the spatially-separated optical signals comprises a plurality of different wavelengths;
• an output fiber that receives at least one of the optical signals;
• a photonic signal processor positioned between the input fiber and the output fiber that receives the multiple spatially-separated optical signals from the input fiber and simultaneously processes those signals;
• and
• a plurality of differently-angled planar surfaces disposed adjacent an output end of the input fiber and configured to converge or diverge the multiple spatially-separated optical signals to a common point along an optical axis of the optical system before the multiple spatially-separated optical signals from the input fiber are input to the photonic signal processor.