LAUSR

Abstract The idea of adopting the space domain as the next frontier for optical communication has received increasing attention in the last few years. Optical devices are the integral parts of a mode division multiplexing (MDM) transmission. Therefore, conducting an intensive study on the devices is paramount to the successful realization of the overall system. This paper presents a review of the recent advances in the inline components of an MDM system, consisting of mode converters, spatial (de) multiplexers, optical amplifiers, and few-mode fibers (FMFs). Also presented are different mode conversion and multiplexing schemes. Recent techniques of minimizing differential mode gain (DMG) in the optical amplifiers are also reviewed. The review covers other types of amplification schemes and their current standing in the MDM system. These include optical semiconductor amplifiers (OSAs), and the Raman amplifiers (RAs). Finally, the review also highlights the role of FMF, multicore fiber and their relationship with fan-in/fan-out devices.