Difference between revisions of "Optical Fiber Waveguides"

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[[Image:Circular_dielect_wg.png|thumb|300px|]]
A circular dielectric waveguide or fiber optic has an internal core that has a higher index of refraction than the cladding. At a certain diameter there is an angle that is less than the critical angle so there is total internal reflection.


A circular dielectric waveguide or fiber optic has an internal core that has a higher index of refraction than the cladding. At a certain diameter there is an angle that is less than the critical angle so there is total internal reflection.


[[Image:SI_fiber.png|thumb|300px|]]
These are referred to as step index fibers. The y axis refers to the index of refraction. The x axis is the distance from the center of the core. So the highest index of refraction (n1) is found in the core and there is a significant step in the index of refraction (n2) at the interface with the cladding.   
These are referred to as step index fibers. The y axis refers to the index of refraction. The x axis is the distance from the center of the core. So the highest index of refraction (n1) is found in the core and there is a significant step in the index of refraction (n2) at the interface with the cladding.   


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n^{2}_{2})^{1/2} is referred to as the numerical aperature, the larger this term the larger the number of modes.
:<math>n^{2}_{2})^{1/2}\,\!</math> is referred to as the numerical aperature, the larger this term the larger the number of modes.


The fiber can support only one mode when V < 2.405
The fiber can support only one mode when V < 2.405


For n1 = 1.48 and n2 = 1.46, the radius of the core a <2.7mu m
For n1 = 1.48 and n2 = 1.46, the radius of the core a <2.7mu m
[[Image:GI_fiber.png|thumb|300px|]]
[[Image:GI_fiber.png|thumb|300px|]]


There is current research to develop a core with a graded index of refraction that gradually decreases to equal that of the cladding. This is referred to as a graded index fiber.
There is current research to develop a core with a graded index of refraction that gradually decreases to equal that of the cladding. This is referred to as a graded index fiber.

Revision as of 15:50, 10 August 2009

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Circular dielect wg.png

A circular dielectric waveguide or fiber optic has an internal core that has a higher index of refraction than the cladding. At a certain diameter there is an angle that is less than the critical angle so there is total internal reflection.


SI fiber.png

These are referred to as step index fibers. The y axis refers to the index of refraction. The x axis is the distance from the center of the core. So the highest index of refraction (n1) is found in the core and there is a significant step in the index of refraction (n2) at the interface with the cladding.


In most practical waveguides the refractive indices of the core and cladding differ from each other by only a few percent.


<math>\frac {d} {\lambda_0} < \frac {1} {2(n^{2}_{1} – n^{2}_{2})^{1/2}}\,\!</math>


<math>n^{2}_{2})^{1/2}\,\!</math> is referred to as the numerical aperature, the larger this term the larger the number of modes.

The fiber can support only one mode when V < 2.405

For n1 = 1.48 and n2 = 1.46, the radius of the core a <2.7mu m

GI fiber.png

There is current research to develop a core with a graded index of refraction that gradually decreases to equal that of the cladding. This is referred to as a graded index fiber.