Abstract
A novel weakly guiding multimode fiber (MMF) with enhanced performance, named inverse hyperbolic tangent MMF (IHTAN MMF), is proposed and designed to exhibit larger separation ( {\geq }1\times 10\,\,^{\mathrm{ -4}} ) within 14 mode groups (MGs). This ensures improved available data channels compared with standard graded-index MMF and various recent orbital angular momentum (OAM) fibers, thus enabling a transmission free of multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO). A numerical study of the key characteristics and performance metrics of the proposed IHTAN MMF is performed. The modal analysis shows a large separation between the supported MGs, thereby enabling low inter-channel crosstalk (XT) and enhanced OAM mode purities (99.9%). Consequently, resistivity to intrinsic XT is enhanced (−30 dB). Low differential intergroup and intragroup delays and flat and low chromatic dispersion are analyzed (proved), discussed, and compared with those of recent fibers. Comparison findings show that IHTAN MMF could play a role in short- or medium-haul MG multiplexing communications free of MIMO digital signal processing (DSP). Finally, the multiplexing, transmission, and demultiplexing system of 50 OAM data channels collocated with small, cost-effective, energy-efficient MIMO DSP blocks are discussed to enhance the scalability of the proposed fiber. The results show that IHTAN MMF could be a promising candidate for next-generation MMF-enabled OAM transmission systems.