Low-loss 8×8 single-mode star coupler

The fabrication and performance of a stable single-mode transmissive 8×8 star coupler is described. The device exhibits very low excess loss (0.13 dB), good coupling uniformity (0.73 dB) and low near-end crosstalk (>64 dB). The star coupler is fabricated from eight lengths of single-mode fibre, by forming 3 dB fused coupling regions between appropriate fibre pairs. A Table of insertion loss measurements is presented, together with graphs showing the wavelength response between 1.2 and 1.7 μm.