Using ultrafast laser inscription, we report the fabrication of a prototype three-dimensional 121-waveguide fan-out device capable of reformatting the output of a 120-core multicore fiber (MCF) into a one-dimensional linear array. When used in conjunction with an actual MCF, we demonstrate that the reformatting function using this prototype would result in an overall through put loss of approx=7.0 dB. However, if perfect coupling from the MCF into the fan-out could be achieved, the reformatting function would result in an overall loss of only approx=1.7 dB. With adequate development, similar devices could efficiently reformat the output of so-called "photonic lanterns" fabricated using highly multicore fibers.
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