Abstract: A novel optical fiber end structure and method for creating same in which an optical fiber end structure may comprise a cylindrical wedge having a planar surface angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber and a flat surface that is generally perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. The device and method of the invention may employ a single or plurality of mechanically polished wedges on the end or ends of an optical fiber, which may, in a best mode, be a few mode fiber. The method and device of the invention may be used to independently modulate standing waves or linearly polarized waves, or both, allowing for a modal multiplexed system. The invention radiates independent standing wave modes and/or linearly polarized modes from the dielectric waveguide structure, and may be employed in single, few mode or multimode optical fibers.

Abstract: A novel fiber optic modal multiplexed data communication system is shown and claimed, wherein an optical fiber end structure may comprise a truncated cylindrical wedge that is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber, and further comprises a lip that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber on both ends of the fiber. The system and method of the invention may comprise at least one but preferably a plurality of laser transmitters to illuminate an optical fiber and at least one but preferably a plurality of optical detectors to detect radiated standing wave and linear polarized modes emanating from the fiber end face. The laser transmitters may be modulated to carry information to at least one receiver, and may comprise Forward Error Correction encoding. The invention may employ single, few mode or multimode optical fibers.

Abstract: A novel optical fiber end structure and method for creating same in which an optical fiber end structure may comprise a cylindrical wedge having a planar surface angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber and a flat surface that is generally perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. The device and method of the invention may employ a single or plurality of mechanically polished wedges on the end or ends of an optical fiber, which may, in a best mode, be a few mode fiber. The method and device of the invention may be used to independently modulate standing waves or linearly polarized waves, or both, allowing for a modal multiplexed system. The invention radiates independent standing wave modes and/or linearly polarized modes from the dielectric waveguide structure, and may be employed in single, few mode or multimode optical fibers.