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arXiv · 2606.27590

Laboratory characterization of a multi-photonic lantern optical waveguide using off-axis holography

Aditya R. Sengupta·Benjamin L. Gerard·Dominic Sanchez·Matthew DeMartino·Rebecca Jensen-Clem·Kevin Bundy·Michael J. Messerly·Paul Pax·Daren Dillon·Eric Strang
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Abstract

Photonic lanterns (PLs) are waveguides that convert multi-mode input light to single-mode outputs. Wavefront sensing (WFS) and spectroscopy using a PL have been demonstrated, but PL simulations and experiments show significant mismatches. For the WaveDriver project, a proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory pathfinder that uses a PL for WFS as well as for integral field spectroscopy, we manufactured an optical waveguide consisting of an array of seven 19-port PLs in one device. We present laboratory characterization of the individual PLs, consisting of measurements of the principal modes at each PL input using digital off-axis holography. We compare our mode measurements to simulations to assess the variation in the PL manufacturing process. We discuss expected WFS performance in the WaveDriver configuration.

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Aditya R. Sengupta, Benjamin L. Gerard, Dominic Sanchez, Matthew DeMartino, Rebecca Jensen-Clem, Kevin Bundy, Michael J. Messerly, Paul Pax, Daren Dillon, Eric Strang. 2026-06-25. Laboratory characterization of a multi-photonic lantern optical waveguide using off-axis holography. https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.27590

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