Modes of Propagation in Optical Fiber Exam Solution

Modes of Propagation in Optical Fiber

Full Exam Solution
Based mainly on the supplied lecture PDF [Link] (pages 2–10).

Notation used in this solution. A step-index fiber has core radius a, core refractive index n1 ,
cladding refractive index n2 , with n1 > n2 . The free-space wave number is k0 = ω/c = 2π/λ. In the
core k1 = n1 k0 , and in the cladding k2 = n2 k0 . The propagation constant along the fiber axis is β.
For guided modes,
k2 < β < k1 .
The transverse parameters are
q q
p = k12 − β 2 , q= β 2 − k22 , u = pa, w = qa.

Prime on a Bessel function means differentiation with respect to the complete argument, for example
Jν′ (u) = dJν (u)/du. The azimuthal mode number is denoted by ν and the radial root number by m.
Some class notes use m for the azimuthal order; replace ν by m if that is your notation.

Q1. What is a fiber mode? Derive the wave equations from Maxwell’s
equations

Meaning of a fiber mode

A fiber mode is a particular electromagnetic field pattern that can travel along an optical fiber without
changing its transverse shape. In other words, the light field has a fixed distribution over the cross-section
of the fiber and propagates in the z-direction with a definite propagation constant β.
Mathematically, a mode has the form

E(r, ϕ, z, t) = E0 (r, ϕ) ej(ωt−βz) , H(r, ϕ, z, t) = H0 (r, ϕ) ej(ωt−βz) .

Here β is the z-component of the propagation vector. Different allowed values of β give different guided
modes. The reason only certain values are allowed is that the fields must satisfy Maxwell’s equations
and the boundary conditions at the core-cladding interface.

One-line exam answer: A fiber mode is an allowed transverse field distribution of E and H that
propagates along the fiber axis with a definite propagation constant β and satisfies the wave equation
and the core-cladding boundary conditions.

Starting Maxwell’s equations

For a source-free, linear, isotropic dielectric medium, there is no free charge and no free current. Hence
∂B ∂D
∇×E=− , ∇×H= ,
∂t ∂t
∇ · D = 0, ∇ · B = 0.
Using
D = ϵE, B = µH,
we get
∂H ∂E
∇ × E = −µ , ∇×H=ϵ .
∂t ∂t

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Modes of Propagation in Optical Fiber Exam Solution

Derivation of the homogeneous wave equation for E

Take curl on both sides of Faraday’s law:

∂
∇ × (∇ × E) = −µ (∇ × H).
∂t
From Ampere-Maxwell law,
∂E
∇×H=ϵ .
∂t
Therefore,
∂2E
∇ × (∇ × E) = −µϵ .
∂t2
Use the vector identity
∇ × (∇ × E) = ∇(∇ · E) − ∇2 E.
In a homogeneous source-free dielectric,

∇ · D = 0 ⇒ ∇ · E = 0.

Hence
∂2E
−∇2 E = −µϵ ,
∂t2
or
∂2E
∇2 E = µϵ .
∂t2

Derivation of the homogeneous wave equation for H

Similarly, take curl on both sides of Ampere-Maxwell law:

∂
∇ × (∇ × H) = ϵ (∇ × E).
∂t
Using Faraday’s law,
∂H
∇ × E = −µ ,
∂t
we get
∂2H
∇ × (∇ × H) = −µϵ .
∂t2
Since ∇ · B = 0 and B = µH, for constant µ,

∇ · H = 0.

Therefore,
∂2H
∇2 H = µϵ .
∂t2

These are the homogeneous wave equations shown in the supplied lecture slide on waveguide equations.
They are the starting point for deriving optical fiber modes.

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Waveguide form in cylindrical coordinates

For a circular optical fiber, cylindrical coordinates (r, ϕ, z) are used. Assume propagation along the
z-axis:
E = E0 (r, ϕ)ej(ωt−βz) , H = H0 (r, ϕ)ej(ωt−βz) .
The derivative with respect to z becomes
∂
→ −jβ,
∂z
and the derivative with respect to time becomes
∂
→ jω.
∂t
For either longitudinal field component Fz = Ez or Hz , the scalar wave equation becomes

∂ 2 Fz 1 ∂Fz 1 ∂ 2 Fz
+ + + (k 2 − β 2 )Fz = 0,
∂r2 r ∂r r2 ∂ϕ2

where
k 2 = ω 2 µϵ.
Thus, for Ez and Hz separately,

∂ 2 Ez 1 ∂Ez 1 ∂ 2 Ez
+ + + qt2 Ez = 0,
∂r2 r ∂r r2 ∂ϕ2

∂ 2 Hz 1 ∂Hz 1 ∂ 2 Hz
+ + + qt2 Hz = 0,
∂r2 r ∂r r2 ∂ϕ2
where
qt2 = k 2 − β 2 .
These are the cylindrical waveguide equations for the longitudinal components. Once Ez and Hz are
known, the transverse components Er , Eϕ , Hr , Hϕ can be found from Maxwell’s curl equations.

Why Bessel functions appear

Use separation of variables:

Fz (r, ϕ) = R(r)Φ(ϕ).
Circular symmetry requires
Φ(ϕ + 2π) = Φ(ϕ),
so
Φ(ϕ) = ejνϕ , ν = 0, 1, 2, 3, . . .
Substituting into the cylindrical wave equation gives

d2 R dR
r2 2
+r + (qt2 r2 − ν 2 )R = 0.
dr dr
This is Bessel’s differential equation. Therefore, inside the core the field varies as Jν (pr), while in the
cladding the guided field must decay away from the core and varies as Kν (qr). The boundary conditions
then select only discrete roots. Each root corresponds to one guided mode.

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Modes of Propagation in Optical Fiber Exam Solution

Q2. Derive the eigenvalue equation by applying boundary conditions

at the core-cladding interface

Step-index fiber model

Consider a step-index fiber: (

n1 , r < a,
n(r) = n1 > n2 .
n2 , r > a,
For guided modes,
k2 < β < k1 .
Hence the field oscillates in the core and decays in the cladding:

p2 = k12 − β 2 > 0,

q 2 = β 2 − k22 > 0.

Longitudinal field solutions

The longitudinal field components are chosen as

Ez1 = AJν (pr)ejνϕ ej(ωt−βz) , r < a,

Hz1 = BJν (pr)ejνϕ ej(ωt−βz) , r < a,

for the core, and
Ez2 = CKν (qr)ejνϕ ej(ωt−βz) , r > a,
Hz2 = DKν (qr)ejνϕ ej(ωt−βz) , r > a,
for the cladding. Jν is the Bessel function of the first kind and Kν is the modified Bessel function of the
second kind. Kν is used in the cladding because the guided field must decay as r → ∞.

Useful transverse field relations

From Maxwell’s curl equations, the transverse components can be expressed in terms of Ez and Hz . In a
medium where s2 = k 2 − β 2 , the relations are
 
j ∂Ez ωµ ∂Hz
Er = − 2 β + ,
s ∂r r ∂ϕ
 
j β ∂Ez ∂Hz
Eϕ = − 2 − ωµ ,
s r ∂ϕ ∂r
 
j ∂Hz ωϵ ∂Ez
Hr = − 2 β − ,
s ∂r r ∂ϕ
 
j β ∂Hz ∂Ez
Hϕ = − 2 + ωϵ .
s r ∂ϕ ∂r
In the core, s2 = p2 . In the cladding, s2 = k22 − β 2 = −q 2 .

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Boundary conditions at r = a

At the core-cladding interface, the tangential components of the electric and magnetic fields must be
continuous. Therefore,
Ez1 = Ez2 , Hz1 = Hz2 ,
Eϕ1 = Eϕ2 , Hϕ1 = Hϕ2
at r = a.
From continuity of Ez and Hz :
AJν (pa) = CKν (qa),
BJν (pa) = DKν (qa).
Thus
Jν (pa) Jν (pa)
C=A , D=B .
Kν (qa) Kν (qa)

Substitute these into the continuity equations for Eϕ and Hϕ . After simplification, two homogeneous
linear equations are obtained for A and B:
 ′
Kν′ (qa)
  
νβ 1 1 Jν (pa)
+ A + jωµ0 + B = 0,
a p2 q 2 pJν (pa) qKν (qa)
 ′
n22 Kν′ (qa)
  
2 Jν (pa) νβ 1 1
−jωϵ0 n1 + A+ + B = 0.
pJν (pa) n21 qKν (qa) a p2 q 2
These two equations can be written as a matrix equation:
  
P jωµ0 X A
= 0,
−jωϵ0 n21 Y P B

where  
νβ 1 1
P = 2
+ 2 ,
a p q
Jν′ (pa) K ′ (qa)
X= + ν ,
pJν (pa) qKν (qa)
Jν′ (pa) n2 K ′ (qa)
Y = + 22 ν .
pJν (pa) n1 qKν (qa)

Eigenvalue condition

For non-zero fields, A and B cannot both be zero. Therefore, the determinant of the coefficient matrix
must vanish:
det = 0.
This gives
P 2 − ω 2 µ0 ϵ0 n21 XY = 0.
Since
ω 2 µ0 ϵ0 = k02 ,
we get
2
ν 2β2

1 1
XY = 2 2 2 + .
a n1 k 0 p2 q 2
Using
p2 + q 2 = k02 (n21 − n22 ),
and
n21 q 2 + n22 p2 = β 2 (n21 − n22 ),

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Modes of Propagation in Optical Fiber Exam Solution

the result can be written in the common lecture-slide form:

Jν′ (pa) K ′ (qa) Jν′ (pa) n22 Kν′ (qa) ν2 1 n22 1

     
1 1
+ ν + = 2 + + .
pJν (pa) qKν (qa) pJν (pa) n21 qKν (qa) a p2 q 2 p2 n21 q 2
Equivalently,
2
Jν′ (pa) K ′ (qa) Jν′ (pa) n22 Kν′ (qa) νβk0 (n21 − n22 )
   
+ ν + = .
pJν (pa) qKν (qa) pJν (pa) n21 qKν (qa) an1 p2 q 2

This is the eigenvalue equation or characteristic equation of a step-index optical fiber. It has many
roots. For every azimuthal order ν, the roots are numbered by the radial order m. Each root gives a
permitted propagation constant βνm and therefore one guided mode.

Normalized form

Using
u = pa, w = qa,
the equation may also be written as

Jν′ (u) Kν′ (w) Jν′ (u) n2 K ′ (w) ν 2β2 1 1 2

    
+ + 22 ν = 2 2 + .
uJν (u) wKν (w) uJν (u) n1 wKν (w) n1 k0 u2 w2

The normalized frequency is

V 2 = u2 + w2 = a2 (k12 − k22 ).

Q3. Explain TE, TM, HE and EH modes in optical fibers

In a dielectric optical fiber, modes are classified according to the longitudinal field components Ez and
Hz . The supplied lecture notes mention that Ez and Hz are the important components because the
remaining transverse field components can be found from them.

TE modes

TE means Transverse Electric. In a TE mode,

Ez = 0, Hz ̸= 0.

The electric field has no longitudinal component; it is purely transverse to the fiber axis. In circular
dielectric fibers, pure TE modes occur for azimuthal order ν = 0, so they are commonly written as

T E0m .

For ν = 0, the eigenvalue equation factorizes. The TE condition is obtained from

J0′ (u) K0′ (w)

+ = 0.
uJ0 (u) wK0 (w)

Physically, TE and TM modes are associated with meridional rays, meaning rays that pass through the
fiber axis.

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Modes of Propagation in Optical Fiber Exam Solution

TM modes

TM means Transverse Magnetic. In a TM mode,

Hz = 0, Ez ̸= 0.

The magnetic field has no longitudinal component; it is purely transverse to the fiber axis. In circular
dielectric fibers, pure TM modes also occur for azimuthal order ν = 0 and are written as

T M0m .

The TM characteristic equation is

J0′ (u) n2 K ′ (w)

+ 22 0 = 0.
uJ0 (u) n1 wK0 (w)

Hybrid modes

For most fiber modes, neither Ez nor Hz is zero. Such modes are called hybrid modes:

Ez ̸= 0, Hz ̸= 0.

Hybrid modes are usually related to skew rays, meaning rays that do not pass through the fiber axis but
spiral around it.
There are two main types of hybrid modes.

HE modes

HE modes are hybrid modes in which the electric-character component is dominant. A useful exam-style
statement is
HE mode: Hz < Ez in relative importance.
The fundamental mode of a step-index fiber is

HE11 .

This mode has no cutoff and is the only mode present in an ideal single-mode step-index fiber. In the
weakly guiding approximation, HE11 corresponds to the linearly polarized mode

LP01 .

EH modes

EH modes are hybrid modes in which the magnetic-character component is dominant. A useful exam-style
statement is
EH mode: Ez < Hz in relative importance.
EH modes are higher-order hybrid modes and occur only when the fiber supports multiple guided modes.

Comparison table

Mode type Longitudinal Physical meaning Common notation

components

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Modes of Propagation in Optical Fiber Exam Solution

TE Ez = 0, Hz ̸= 0 Electric field is completely T E0m

transverse; meridional ray
type
TM Hz = 0, Ez ̸= 0 Magnetic field is T M0m
completely transverse;
meridional ray type
HE Ez ̸= 0, Hz ̸= 0, electric Hybrid mode; skew-ray HEνm , especially
character dominant type; includes HE11
fundamental mode
EH Ez ̸= 0, Hz ̸= 0, magnetic Higher-order hybrid EHνm
character dominant mode; skew-ray type

Important exam point: In metallic waveguides, TE and TM modes are common. In dielectric
optical fibers, pure TE and TM modes are limited cases, while the most important modes are hybrid
HE and EH modes. The fundamental fiber mode is HE11 , also written as LP01 in the weakly guiding
approximation.

Relation with LP modes

Most practical optical fibers are weakly guiding:

n1 − n2
∆= ≪ 1.
n1
In that case, exact vector modes are often approximated by linearly polarized LPlm modes. The important
correspondences are
HE11 → LP01 ,
T E01 , T M01 , HE21 → LP11 .
The intensity patterns shown in the supplied lecture slide on different modes are examples of these LP
mode field distributions.

Q4. Deduce the single-mode and multi-mode conditions

Normalized frequency

The normalized frequency or V -number of a step-index fiber is

2πa
q
V = n21 − n22 .
λ

Since the numerical aperture is q

N A = n21 − n22 ,
for air outside the fiber,
2πa
V = N A.
λ
Also,
V 2 = u2 + w2 = a2 (k12 − k22 ).
The V -number tells how many modes can be guided by the fiber. Larger V means more modes.

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Cutoff idea

At cutoff, a mode is just about to stop being guided. At this point,

β → k2 ,

so the cladding decay constant becomes

q
q= β 2 − k22 → 0.

This means the field is no longer well confined to the core.

The fundamental mode HE11 has no cutoff. The next group of modes appears when

V = 2.405,

which is the first zero of J0 . This value is the standard single-mode cutoff value for a step-index optical
fiber.

Single-mode condition

For a step-index fiber to support only the fundamental mode HE11 or LP01 ,

V < 2.405.

Therefore,
2πa
N A < 2.405.
λ
Equivalently,
2.405λ
a< .
2πN A
For core diameter d = 2a,
2(2.405)λ 0.765λ
d< = .
2πN A NA
Thus a fiber becomes single-mode by using a small core radius, small numerical aperture, or longer
operating wavelength.

Multi-mode condition

A step-index fiber becomes multimode when higher-order modes are also guided:

V > 2.405.

That is,
2πa
N A > 2.405.
λ
For a highly multimode step-index fiber, the approximate number of guided modes is

V2
M≈ .
2

This approximation counts the mode degeneracy and is useful when V is large.

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Modes of Propagation in Optical Fiber Exam Solution

Summary of mode conditions

Fiber type Condition Guided modes

Single-mode step-index fiber V < 2.405 Only HE11 or LP01
Cutoff boundary V = 2.405 Next higher mode
just starts
Multi-mode step-index fiber V > 2.405 Many higher-order
modes

Final exam-ready summary

1. A fiber mode is an allowed electromagnetic field pattern that keeps its transverse shape while
propagating along the fiber with propagation constant β.

2. Starting from source-free Maxwell equations and taking curl of curl gives

∂2E ∂2H
∇2 E = µϵ , ∇2 H = µϵ .
∂t2 ∂t2

3. With ej(ωt−βz) dependence in a cylindrical fiber, the longitudinal fields satisfy

∂ 2 Fz 1 ∂Fz 1 ∂ 2 Fz
+ + + (k 2 − β 2 )Fz = 0.
∂r2 r ∂r r2 ∂ϕ2

4. Separation of variables gives Bessel function solutions: Jν (pr) in the core and Kν (qr) in the cladding.

5. Matching Ez , Hz , Eϕ , Hϕ at r = a gives the step-index fiber eigenvalue equation:

Jν′ (pa) K ′ (qa) Jν′ (pa) n22 Kν′ (qa) ν2 1 n22 1

     
1 1
+ ν + = 2 + + .
pJν (pa) qKν (qa) pJν (pa) n21 qKν (qa) a p2 q 2 p2 n21 q 2

6. TE modes have Ez = 0; TM modes have Hz = 0; HE and EH modes are hybrid modes where both Ez
and Hz are nonzero.

7. The single-mode condition for a step-index fiber is

2πa
V = N A < 2.405.
λ

8. The multimode condition is

V > 2.405,
and for large V , approximately M ≈ V 2 /2 modes are guided.

Reference note

This solution follows the sequence and notation of the supplied lecture material: waveguide equations
from Maxwell equations, cylindrical coordinate field components, Bessel-function solutions, step-index
fiber eigenvalue equation, and mode classification diagrams from [Link], pages 2–10.

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