Multicore Optical Fiber Advantages

OFS 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 OFS 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

Multicore Optical Fiber Design

Scientists at OFS 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.

OFS 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.

Glass outer diameter is 125 microns​

7 Core Single-mode Fiber
Glass outer diameter is 125 microns​

Glass outer diameter is 125 microns​

4 Core Single-mode Fiber
Glass outer diameter is 125 microns​

Glass outer diameter is 230 microns​

8 Core Single-mode Fiber
Glass outer diameter is 230 microns​

Glass outer diameter is 165 microns​

8 Core Multimode Fiber
Glass outer diameter is 165 microns​

Glass outer diameter is 125 microns​

6 Core Multimode Fiber
Glass outer diameter is 125 microns​

Glass outer diameter is 125 microns​

5 Core Single-mode Fiber
Glass outer diameter is 125 microns​

Multicore Optical Fiber News

March 6, 2023 – OFS Develops Multicore Fibers (MCF) for its Submarine Fiber Portfolio. Read Press Release >>

Markets and Applications

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

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.

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

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

Learn More

Communications

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

Is now the time to standardize MCF in communication networks?

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.

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-fiberlike splice losses of less than 0.03 dB on average for two different 4-core fiber designs, regardless of polarity.

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

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Industrial, Sensing

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

A multicore optical fiber for distributed sensing

A miniature turn-around for distributed temperature sensing  

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

OFS Multicore Optical Fiber Portfolio

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

OFS 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.