Optical communications

Chapter 2.4
Pham Quang Thai
Pqthai.hcmut@gmail.com

Content

Geometrical optics
Optical propagation in fiber
Fiber fabrication
Signal degradation in fiber
Types of fiber

Multi-mode

Single-mode

Contain many modes

Large core radii
Work with poor beam quality
light sources (LED)
Easier to launch optical power
into the fiber

Contain only one mode

Small core radii
Works with high quality light
source (Laser)
Transverse intensity profile is
independent on launch
conditions
No intermodal dispersion
Long distance communications
For fiber lasers and amplifiers

Intermodal dispersion
Short distance communications
For high-power laser applications

Multimode: Step index fiber

Step index (SI) fibers

Multimode: Graded index fiber

Single mode fiber

Single mode (SM) fiber
The core can be SI or GI, but contains only one mode

Examples for chapter 2.4

Problems 2-19:
Determine the normalized frequency (V) at 820
nm for a step index fiber having a 25-m core
radius, n1=1.48 and n2=1.46
How many modes propagate in this fiber at 820
nm?
How many modes propagate in this fiber at 1.32
m?

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Examples for chapter 2.4

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Examples for chapter 2.4

Problem 2-27
Calculate the number of modes at 820 nm and 1.3
m in a graded-index fiber having a parabolicindex profile (=2), a 25-m core radius, n1=1.48
and n2=1.46.

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Think-pair share
Commercial fiber specifications
Some experiments with single mode and
multimode fibers

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