Abstract
We propose a new and versatile design of a directional coupler able to generate and multiplex high order modes in few mode fibers. The designed device can selectively generate five high order modes and multiplex them in a few mode fiber with an overall insertion loss not exceeding 3dB at the telecommunication wavelength lambda = 1550 nm. The mode dependent loss is found to be weakly dependent to the wavelength. The proposed device is very promising for high order mode multiplexing and suitable for high bit-rate optical communication systems.