Global characterization of optical power propagation in step-index plastic optical fibers

Abstract

We propose to characterize optical power transmission in stepindex plastic optical fibers by estimating fiber diffusion and attenuation as functions of the propagation angle. We assume that power flow is described by Gloge s differential equation and find a global solution that was fitted to experimental far field patterns registered using a CCD camera as a function of fiber length. The diffusion and attenuation functions obtained describe completely the fiber behavior and thus, along with the power flow equation, can be used to predict the optical power distribution for any condition.

POF misalignment model based on the calculation of the radiation pattern using the Hankel transform

“…In this later work, the calculation of misalignment loss requires an analytical FFP which was assumed to be the equilibrium mode distribution (EMD). However, for most POF systems the EMD can only be reached after more than a hundred meters [11], which is a distance well over the usual link length and, moreover, fiber union by connectors or splices can be needed at any position in the link [12,13].…”

Calculation of the Impulse Response of Step-Index Plastic Optical Fibers Using the Time-Dependent Power Flow Equation

“…In order to obtain the value for A for the fiber analyzed, we used the graph for α(θ) in Fig. 1 proposed earlier by Mateo et al [6] and used in numerical calculations by Breyer et al [3]. Since mode-dependent attenuation can be written in the form α(θ) ≈ α 0 + Aθ 2 , one can determine A by fitting the graph shown in Fig.…”

“…In this way, we have obtained α 0 = 0.0159 1/m and A = 0.4025 (rad 2 m) −1 . The value of the constant coupling coefficient D = 1.171 × 10 −4 rad 2 /m has been used in the first approach to the modeling of mode coupling in the analyzed fiber by Mateo et al [6], which we have adopted in this work. One should mention here that modeling the mode coupling process with a constant D is commonly done by many other authors [1,4,7,8].…”

Comparison of Methods for Calculating Coupling Length in Step-Index Optical Fibers

“…This contrasts Gloge's result (3) in which the coupling length is independent of the width of the launch beam distribution. We will verify the accuracy of the proposed function (4) for calculating the coupling length L c .…”

“…It thus progressively alters the input power distribution along the fiber length. Consequently, it has been described as strongly affecting transmission characteristics of the fiber [1][2][3][4][5]. Mode coupling is caused by fiber impurities and inhomogeneities introduced during the fiber manufacturing process.…”