On chip coherent phase and intensity control for atmospheric turbulence mitigation with multi-plane light conversion

Authors: Antonin Billaud¹, Fausto Gomez Agis¹, Kassem Saab¹, Matthieu Meunier¹, David Allioux¹, Olivier Pinel¹, Guillaume Labroille¹

¹Cailabs, Rennes, FRANCE

We demonstrate coherent on-chip combining for atmospheric turbulence mitigation using Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC). A Niobate Lithium (LiNbO3) photonic integrated chip (PIC) was manufactured to optically combine via balancing and rephasing of 8 disturbed signals collected and demultiplexed by an MPLC. Cascaded on-chip Mach-Zehnders interferometers containing controllable phase shifters allow combining of optical inputs two at a time. Optical leaks are used as feedback loops. After 3 stages, all signals are coherently combined into a main output. We present efficiency, bandwidth, and compatibility with telecom operation of the PIC recombination.