UNIT –1

OVERVIEW OF OPTICAL FIBRE COMMUNICATION

Historical Development

 Fiber optics deals with study of propagation of light through transparent

dielectric wageguides. The fiber optics are used for transmission of data
from point to point location. Fiber optic systems currently used most
extensively as the transmission line between terrestrial hardwired systems.

 The carrier frequencies used in conventional systems had the limitations in

handlinmg the volume and rate of the data transmission. The greater the
carrier frequency larger the available bandwith and information carrying
capacity.

First generation

 The first generation of lightwave systems uses GaAs semiconductor laser

and operating region was near 0.8 µm. Other specifications of this
generation are as under:

i) Bit rate : 45 Mb/s

ii) Repeater spacing : 10 km

Second generation

i) Bit rate : 100 Mb/s to 1.7 Gb/s

ii) Repeater spacing : 50 km

iii) Operation wavelength : 1.3 µm

iv) Semiconductor : In GaAsP

Third generation

i) Bit rate : 10 Gb/s

ii) Repeater spacing : 100 km

iii) Operating wavelength : 1.55 µm

Fourth generation

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 Fourth generation uses WDM technique.

Bit rate : 10 Tb/s

Repeater spacing : > 10,000 km

Operating wavelength : 1.45 to 1.62 µm

Fifth generation

Fifth generation uses Roman amplification technique and optical solitiors.

Bit rate : 40 - 160 Gb/s

Repeater spacing : 24000 km - 35000 km

Operating wavelength : 1.53 to 1.57 µm

Need of fiber optic communication

 Fiber optic communication system has emerged as most important

communication system. Compared to traditional system because of
following requirements :

1. In long haul transmission system there is need of low loss transmission medium

2. There is need of compact and least weight transmitters and receivers.

3. There is need of increase dspan of transmission.

4. There is need of increased bit rate-distrance product.

 A fiber optic communication system fulfills these requirements, hence

most widely acception.

General Optical Fiber Communication System

 Basic block diagram of optical fiber communication system consists of

following important blocks.

1. Transmitter

2. Information channel

3. Receiver.

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 Fig. 1.2.1 shows block diagram of OFC system.

Message origin :

 Generally message origin is from a transducer that converts a non-electrical

message into an electrical signal. Common examples include microphones
for converting sound waves into currents and video (TV) cameras for converting
images into current. For data transfer between computers, the message is already
in electrical form.

Modulator :

 The modulator has two main functions.

1) It converts the electrical message into the proper format.

2) It impresses this signal onto the wave generated by the carrier source.

Two distinct categories of modulation are used i.e. analog modulation and
digital modulation.

Carrier source :

 Carrier source generates the wave on which the information is transmitted.

This wave is called the carrier. For fiber optic system, a laser diode (LD) or a
light emitting diode (LED) is used. They can be called as optic oscillators, they
provide stable, single frequency waves with sufficient power for long
distance propagation.

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Channel coupler :

 Coupler feeds the power into the information channel. For an atmospheric
optic system, the channel coupler is a lens used for collimating the light
emitted by the source and directing this light towards the receiver. The
coupler must efficiently transfer the modulated light beam from the source
to the optic fiber. The channel coupler design is an important part of fiber
system because of possibility of high losses.

Information channel :

 The information channel is the path between the transmitter and receiver.
In fiber optic communications, a glass or plastic fiber is the channel.
Desirable characteristics of the information channel include low attenuation
and large light acceptance cone angle. Optical amplifiers boost the power
levels of weak signals. Amplifiers are needed in very long links to provide
sufficient power to the receiver. Repeaters can be used only for digital
systems. They convert weak and distorted optical signals to electrical ones
and then regenerate the original disgital pulse trains for further
transmission.

 Another important property of the information channel is the propagation

time of the waes travelling along it. A signal propagating along a fiber
normally contains a range of optic frequencies and divides its power along
several ray paths. This results in a distortion of the propagating signal. In a
digital system, this distortion appears as a spreading and deforming of the
pulses. The spreading is so great that adjacent pulses begin to overlap and
become unrecognizable as separate bits of information.
Optical detector :

 The information being transmitted is detector. In the fiber system the optic
wave is converted into an electric current by a photodetector. The current
developed by the

 detector is proportional to the power in the incident optic wave. Detector

output current contains the transmitted information. This detector output is
then filtered to remove the constant bias and thn amplified.

 The important properties of photodetectors are small size, economy, long

life, low power consumption, high sensitivity to optic signals and fast
response to quick variations in the optic power.

Signal processing :

 Signal processing includes filtering, amplification. Proper filtering maximizes

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 the ratio of signal to unwanted power. For a digital system decision circuit is
an additional block. The bit error rate (BER) should be very small for quality
communications.

Message output :

 The electrical form of the message emerging from the signal processor are
transformed into a soud wave or visual image. Sometimes these signals are
directly usable when computers or other machines are connected through a
fiber system.

Advantages of Optical Fiber Communications

1. Wide bandwidth

 The light wave occupies the frequency range between 2 x 1012 Hz to 3.7
x 1012 Hz. Thus the information carrying capability of fiber optic cables is
much higher.

2. Low losses

 Fiber optic cables offers bery less signal attenuation over long
distances. Typically it is less than 1 dB/km. This enables longer distance
between repeaters.

3. Immune to cross talk

 Fiber optic cables has very high immunity to electricaland magnetic field.
Since fiber optic cables are non-conductors of electricity hence they do not
produce magnetic field. Thus fiber optic cables are immune to cross talk
between cables cause dby magnetic induction.

4. Interference immune
 Fiber optic cable sar eimmune to conductive and radiative
interferences caused by electrical noise sources such as lighting,
electric motors, fluorescent lights.

5. Light weight

 As fiber cables are made of silica glass or plastic which is much lighter than
copper or aluminium cables. Light weight fiber cables are cheaper to
transport.

6. Small size

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  The diameter of fiber is much smaller compared to other cables,
therefore fiber calbe is small in size, requires less storage space.

7. More strength

 Fiber cables are stronger and rugged hence can support more weight.

8. Security

 Fiber cables are more secure than other cables. It is almost impossible to
tap into a fiber cable as they do n ot radiate signals.

No ground loops exist between optical fibers hence they are more secure.

9. Long distance transmission

 Becaujse of less attenuation transmission at a longer distance is possible.

10. Environment immune

 Fiber calbes are more immune to environmental extremes. They can

operate over a large temperature varioations. Also they are not affected
by corrosive liquids and gases.

11. Sage and easy installation

 Fiber cables are safer and easier to install and maintain. They are non-
conductors hence there is no shock hazards as no current or voltage is
associated with them. Their small size and light weight feature makes
installation easier.

12. Less cost

 Cost of fiber optic system is less compated to any other system.

Disadvantages of Optical Fiber Communicaitons

1. High initial cost

 The intial cost of installation or setting up cost is very high compared to all
other system.

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2. Maintenance and repaiding cost

 The maintenance and repaiding of fiber optic systems is not only difficult
but expensive also.

3. Jointing and test procedures

 Since optical fibers are of very small size. The fiber joining process is very
constly and requires skilled manpower.

4. Tensile stress

 Optical fibers are more susceptible to buckling, bending and tensile stress
than copper cables. This leades to restricted practice to use optical fiber
technology to premises and floor backbones with a few interfaces to the
copper cables.

5. Short links

 Eventhough optical fiber calbes are inexpensive, it is still not cost effective to
replace every small conventional connector (e.g. between computers and
peripherals), as the price of optoelectronic transducers are very high.

6. Fiber losses

 The amount of optical fiber available to the photodetector at the end of

fiber length depends on various fiber losses such as scattering, dispersion,
attenuation and reflection.

Applications of Optical Fiber Communicaitons

 Applications of optical fiber communications include telecommunications,

data communications, video control and protection switching, sensors and
power applications.

1. Telephone networks

 Optical waveguide has low attenuation, high transmission bandwidth

compated to copper lines, therefore numbers of long haul co-axial trunks
l;links between telephone exchanges are being replaced by optical fiber
links.
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2. Urban broadband service networks

 Optical waveguide provides much larger bandwidth than co-axial calbe,

also the number of repeaters required is reduced considerably.

 Modern suburban communications involves videotext, videoconferencing

videotelephony, switched broadband communication network. All these can
be supplied over a single fiber optic link. Fiber optic calbes is the solution to many
of today’s high speed, high bandwidth data communication problems and will
continue to play a large role in future telecom and data-com networks.

Optical Fiber Waveguides

 In free space light ravels as its maximum possible speed i.e. 3 x 108 m/s or
186 x 103 miles/sec. When light travels through a material it exnibits certain
behavior explaned by laws of reflection, refraction.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

 The radio waves and light are electromagnetic waves. The rate at which
they alternate in
polarity is called their frequency (f) measured in hertz (Hz). The speed of
electromagnetic wave (c) in free space is approximately 3 x 108 m/sec. The
distance travelled during each cycle is called as wavelength (λ)

 In fiber optics, it is more convenient to use the wavelength of light instead

of the frequency with light frequencies, wavlengfth is often stated in
microns or nanometers.

1 micron (µ) = 1

Micrometre (1 x 10-6) 1

nano (n) = 10-9 metre

 Fiber optics uses visible and infrared light. Infrared light covers a fairly wide
range of wavelengths and is generally used for all fiber optic
communications. Visible light is normally used for very short range
transmission using a plastic fiber.

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 Fig. 1.6.1 shows electromagnetic frequency spectrum
Ray Transmission Theory

 Before studying how the light actually propagates through the fiber, laws
governing the nature of light m ust be studied. These was called as laws of
optics (Ray theory). There is conception that light always travels at the same
speed. This fact is simply not true. The speed of light depends upon the
material or medium through which it is moving. In free space light travels at
its maximum possible speed i.e. 3 x 108 m/s or 186 x 103 miles/sec. When
light travels through a material it exhibits certain behavior explained by laws
of reflection, refraction.

Reflection

 The law of reflection states that, when a light ray is incident upon a reflective
surface at some incident angle 1 from imaginary perpendicular normal, the
ray will be reflected from the surface at some angle 2 from normal which is equal
to the angle of incidence.

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Refraction

 Refraction occurs when light ray passes from one medium to another i.e. the
light ray changes its direction at interface. Refraction occurs whenever
density of medium changes. E.g. refraction occurs at air and water interface,
Fig. 1.6.2
the straw in a glass shows
of water willlaw of reflection.
appear as it is bent.

The refraction can also observed at air and glass interface.

 When wave passes through less dense medium to more dense medium,
the wave is refracted (bent) towards the normal. Fig. 1.6.3 shows the
refraction phenomena.

 The refraction (bending) takes place because light travels at different speed
in different mediums. The speed of light in free space is higher than in water
or glass.

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 Fig.1.6.3 Refraction

Refractive Index

 The amount of refraction or bending that occurs at the interface of two

materials of different densities is usually expressed as refractive index of
two materials. Refractive index is also known as index of refraction and is
denoted by n.

 Based on material density, the refractive index is expressed as the ratio of

the velocity of light in free space to the velocity of light of the dielectric
material (substance).

The refractive index for vacuum and air os 1.0 for water it is 1.3 and for glass
refractive index is 1.5.

Snell’s Law

 Snell’s law states how light ray reacts when it meets the interface of
two media having different indexes of refraction.

 Let the two medias have refractive indexes n1 and n2 where n1 >n2.

1 and 2 be the angles of incidence and angle of refraction respectively.

Then according to Snell’s law, a relationship exists between the refractive index of both
materials given by

n1 sin1 = n2 sin2 … (1.6.1)

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  A refractive index model for Snell’s law is shown in Fig. 1.6.4.

 The refracted wave will be towards the normal when n1 < n2 and will
away from it when n1 > n2.
Equation (1.6.1) can be written as,

Fig 1.6.4 Refractive model for Snells Law

 This equation shows that the ratio of refractive index of two mediums
is inversely proportional to the refractive and incident angles.

As refractive index and substituting these values in equation (1.6.2)

Critical Angle

 When the angle of incidence (1) is profressively increased, there will be

progressive increase of refractive angle (2). At some condition (1) the
refractive angle (2) becomes
90o to the normal. When this happens the refracted light ray travels along the
interface. The angle of incidence (1) at the point at which the refractive angle (1)
becomes 90o is called the critical angle. It is denoted by c.

 The critical angle is defined as the minimum angle of incidence (1) at which
the ray strikes the interface of two media and causes an agnle of refraction
(2) equal to 90o. Fig 1.6.5 shows critical angle refraction.

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 Fig.1.6.5 Critical Angle

o
Hence at critical angle 1 = c and 2 = 90 Using

Snell’s law : n1 sin 1 = n2 sin 2

Therefore,

…
(1.6
.3)

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  The actual value of critical angle is dependent upon combination of
materials present on each side of boundary.

Total Internal Refleciton (TIR)

 When the incident angle is increase dbeyond the critical angle, the light ray
does not pass through the interface into the other medium. This gives the
effect of mirror exist at the
interface with no possibility of light escaping outside the medium. In this
condition angle of reflection (2) is equal to angle of incidence (1). This action is
called as Total Internal Reflection (TIR) of the beam. It is TIR that leads to the
propagation of waves within fiber-cable medium. TIR can be observed only in
materials in which the velocity of light is less than in air.

The refractive index of first medium must be greater than the refractive index of second
one.

1. The angle of incidence must be greater than (or equal to) the critical angle.

Example 1.6.1 : A light ray is incident from medium-1 to medium-2. If the refractive indices
of medium-1 and medium-2 are 1.5 and 1.36 respectively then determine the angle of
o
refraction for an angle of incidence of 30 .
Solution : Medium-1 n1 = 1.5

Medium-2 n2 = 1.36

Angle of incidence 1 = 30o.

Angle of incident 2 = ?

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Angle of refraction 33.46o from normal. … Ans.

Example 1.6.2 : A light ray is incident from glass to air. Calculate the critical angle (c).

Solution : Refractive index of glass n1 = 1.50

Refrative indes of air n2 = 1.00

Example 1.6.3 : Calculate the NA, acceptance angle and critical angle of the fiber having n1
(Core refractive index) = 1.50 and refractive index of cladding = 1.45.

Soluiton : n1 = 1.50, n2 = 1.45

Optical Fiver as Waveguide

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  An optical fiber is a cylindrical dielectric waveguide capable of conveying
electromagnetic waves at optical frequencies. The electromagnetic energy is
in the form of the light and propagates along the axis of the fiber. The
structural of the fiver determines the transmission characteristics.
 The propagation of light along the waveguide is decided by the modes of the
waveguides, here mode means path. Each mode has distict pattern of
electric and magnetic field distributions along the fiber length. Only few
modes can satisfy the homogeneous wav equation in the fiver also the
boundary condition a waveguide surfaces. When there is only one path for light to
follow then it is called as single mode propagation. When there is more than one
path then it is called as multimode propagation.

Single fiber structure

 A single fiber structure is shown in Fig. 1.6.6. It consists of a solid dielectric

cylinder with radius ‘a’. This cylinder is called as core of fiber. The core is
surrounded by dielectric, called cladding. The index of refraction of core
(glass fiber) is slightly greater than the index of refraction of cladding.

If refractive index of core (glass fiver) = n1 and

refractive index of cladding = n2

then n1 > n2.

Fig.1.6.6. Single optical Fibre Structure

Propagation in Optical Fiber

 To understand the general nature of light wave propagation in optical fiber.

We first consider the construction of optical fiber. The innermost is the glass
core of very thin diameter with a slight lower refractive index n2. The light
wave can propagate along such a optical fiber. A single mode propagation is
illustrated in Fig. 1.6.7 along with standard size of fiber.

Single mode fibers are capable of carrying only one signal of a specific wavelength.

 In multimode propagation the light propagates along the fiber in zigzag

fashion, provided it can undergo total internal reflection (TIR) at the
core cladding boundaries.
 Total internal reflection at the fiber wall can occur only if two conditions
are satisfied.

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Condition 1:
The index of refraction of glass fiber must be slightly greater than the index of
refraction of material surrounding the fiber (cladding).

If refractive index of glass fiber = n1

and refractive index of cladding = n2

then n1 > n2.

Condition 2 :

The angle of incidence (1 of light ray must be greater than critical angle (c).

 A light beam is focused at one end of cable. The light enters the fibers at
different angles.
Fig. 1.6.8 shows the conditions exist at the launching end of optic fiber. The light
source is surrounded by air and the refractive index of air is n0 = 1. Let the incident
ray makes an angle 0 with fiber axis. The ray enters into glass

fiber at point P making refracted angle 1 to the fiber axis, the ray is then
propagated diagonally down the core and reflect from the core wall at point
Q. When the light ray reflects off the inner surface, the angle of incidence is equal
to the angle of reflection, which is greater than critical angle.
 In order for a ray of light to propagate down the cable, it must strike the
core cladding interface at an angle that is greater than critical angle (c).

Acceptance Angle

Applying Snell’s law to external incidence angle.

n0 sin 0 = n1 sin 1

But 1 = (90 - c)

sin 1 = sing (90 - c) = cos c

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 Substituting sin 1 in above equation.

n0 sin 0 = n1 cos c

Applying Pythagorean theorem to ΔPQR.

The maximum value of external incidence angle for which light will propagate in the fiber.

When the light rays enters the fivers from an air medium n0 = 1. Then
above equation reduces to,

The angle 0 is called as acceptance angle and defines the maximum

angle in which the light ray may incident on fiber to propagate down the fiber.

Acceptance Cone

 Rotating the acceptance angle around the fiber axis, a cone shaped
pattern is obtained, it is called as acceptance cone of the fiber input. Fig
1.6.10 shows formation of acceptance cone of a fiber cable.

FIG: 1.6.10 shows formation of acceptance cone of a fiber cable.

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  The Cone of acceptance is the angle within which the light is accepted into
the core and is able to travel along the fiber. The launching of light wave
becomes easier for large acceptance come.
 The angle is measured from the axis of the positive cone so the total angle
of convergence is actually twice the stated value.

Numerical Aperture (NA)

 The numerical aperture (NA) of a fiber is a figure of merit which represents

its light gathering capability. Larger the numerical aperture, the greater
the
amount of light accepted by fiber. The acceptance angle also determines how
much light is able to be enter the fiber and hence there is relation between the
numerical aperture and the cone of acceptance.

Numerical aperture (NA) = sin

For air no = 1

Hence acceptance angle = sin-1 NA

By the formula of NA note that the numerical aperture is effectively dependent

only on refractive indices of core and cladding material. NA is not a function of fiber
A
dimension.
l
s
 The index difference (Δ) and the numerical aperture (NA) are related to o
the core and cladding indices:

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Example 1.6.5 : Calculate the numerical aperture and acceptance angle for a fiber cable …
of which ncore = 1.5 and ncladding = 1.48. The launching takes place from air. (1.6
.4)

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Solution :

NA = 0.244 …Ans.

Acceptance angle –

Acceptance angle = sin-1 0.244

0 = 14.12o …Ans.

Types of Rays

 If the rays are launched within core of acceptance can be successfully

propagated along the fiber. But the exact path of the ray is determined by
the position and angle of ray at which it strikes the core.
There exists three different types of rays.
i) Skew rays ii) Meridional rays iii) Axial rays.

 The skew rays does not pass through the center, as show in Fig. 1.6.11 (a).
The skew rays reflects off from the core cladding boundaries and again
bounces around the outside of the core. It takes somewhat similar shape of
spiral of helical path.

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 Fig:1.6.11 Different Ray Propagation

 The meridional ray enters the core and passes through its axis. When the
core surface is parallel, it will always be reflected to pass through the enter.
The meridional ray is shown in fig. 1.6.11 (b).
 The axial ray travels along the axis of the fiber and stays at the axis all the
time. It is shown in fig. 1.6.11 (c).

Modes of Fiber

 Fiber cables cal also be classified as per their mode. Light rays propagate as
an electromagnetic wave along the fiber. The two components, the electric
field and the magnetic field form patterns across the fiber. These patterns
are called modes of transmission. The mode of a fiber refers to the number
of paths for the light rays within the cable. According to modes optic fibers
can be classified into two types.
i) Single mode fiber ii) Multimode fiber.

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  Multimode fiber was the first fiber type to be manufactured and
commercialized. The term multimode simply refers to the fact that
numerous modes (light rays) are carried simultaneously through the
waveguide. Multimode fiber has a much larger diameter, compared to single
mode fiber, this allows large number of modes.
 Single mode fiber allows propagation to light ray by only one path. Single
mode fibers are best at retaining the fidelity of each light pulse over longer
distance also they do not exhibit dispersion caused by multiple modes.

Thus more information can be transmitted per unit of time.

This gives single mode fiber higher bandwidth compared to multimode fiber.

 Some disadvantages of single mode fiber are smaller core diameter makes
coupling light into the core more difficult. Precision required for single mode
connectors and splices are more demanding.

Fiber Profiles

 A fiber is characterized by its profile and by its core and cladding diameters.
 One way of classifying the fiber cables is according to the index profile at
fiber. The index profile is a graphical representation of value of refractive
index across the core diameter.
 There are two basic types of index profiles.

i) Step index fiber. ii) Graded index fiber.

Fig. 1.6.12 shows the index profiles of fibers.

Step Index (SI) Fiber

 The step index (SI) fiber is a cylindrical waveguide core with central or inner
core has a uniform refractive index of n1 and the core is surrounded by
outer cladding with uniform refractive index of n2. The cladding refractive
index
(n2) is less than the core refractive index (n1). But there is an abrupt change in the
refractive index at the core cladding interface. Refractive index profile of step
indexed optical fiber is shown in Fig. 1.6.13. The refractive index is plotted on
horizontal axis and radial distance from the core is plotted on vertical axis.

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  The propagation of light wave within the core of step index fiber takes
the path of meridional ray i.e. ray follows a zig-zag path of straight line
segments.
The core typically has diameter of 50-80 µm and the cladding has a diameter of 125
µm.
 The refractive index profile is defined as –

Graded Index (GRIN) Fiber

 The graded index fiber has a core made from many layers of glass.
 In the graded index (GRIN) fiber the refractive index is not uniform within
the core, it is highest at the center and decreases smoothly and continuously
with distance towards the cladding. The refractive index profile across the
core takes the parabolic nature. Fig. 1.6.14 shows refractive index profile of
graded index fiber.

 In graded index fiber the light waves are bent by refraction towards the core
axis and they follow the curved path down the fiber length. This results
because of change in refractive index as moved away from the center of the
core.
 A graded index fiber has lower coupling efficiency and higher bandwidth
than the step index fiber. It is available in 50/125 and 62.5/125 sizes. The
50/125 fiber has been optimized for long haul applications and has a smaller
NA and higher bandwidth. 62.5/125 fiber is optimized for LAN applications
which is costing 25% more than the 50/125 fiber cable.
 The refractive index variation in the core is giver by relationship

where,
= Radial distance from fiber axis

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 a = Core radius
n1= Refractive index of core

n2 = Refractive index of cladding α

= Shape of index profile.

 Profile parameter α determines the characteristic refractive index profile

of fiber core. The range of refractive index as variation of α is shown in
Fig. 1.6.1

Comparison of Step Index and Graded Index Fiber

Sr.
No Graded index
. Parameter Step index fiber fiber
1. Data rate Slow. Higher
Coupling Coupling efficiency Lower coupling
2. efficiency with fiber efficiency.
is higher.
By total internal Light
3. Ray path reflection. travelled
oscillatory fashion.
Index
4. variation

Numerical
5. aperture NA remains same. Changes continuously
distance from fiber axis.
Material Normally plastic or Only glass is
6. used glass is preferred.
preferred.
7. Bandwidth 10 – 20 MHz/km 1 GHz/km
efficiency

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 Pulse Pulse spreading by Pulse spreading
8. spreading fiber is less

length is more.
9. Attenuation Less typically 0.34 More 0.6 to 1 dB/km at 1.3
of light dB/km at
1.3 µm. µm.
10 Typical light
source LED. LED, Lasers.

Applications Subscriber local network

communicat
ion. networks.

Optic Fiber Configurations

 Depending on the refractive index profile of fiber and modes of fiber

there exist three types of optical fiber configurations. These optic-fiber
configurations are -

i) Single mode step index fiber.

ii) Multimode step index fiber.
iii) Multimode graded index fiber.

Single mode Step index Fiber

 In single mode step index fiber has a central core that is sufficiently small so
that there is essentially only one path for light ray through the cable. The
light ray is propagated in the fiber through reflection. Typical core sizes are 2
to 15 µm. Single mode fiber is also known as fundamental or monomode
fiber.

Fig. 1.6.16 shows single mode fiber.

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  Single mode fiber will permit only one mode to propagate and does not
suffer from mode delay differences. These are primarily developed for the
1300 nm window but they can be also be used effectively with time division
multiplex (TDM) and wavelength division multiplex (WDM) systems
operating in 1550 nm wavelength region.
 The core fiber of a single mode fiber is very narrow compared to the
wavelength of light being used. Therefore, only a single path exists through
the cable core through which light can travel. Usually, 20 percent of the light
in a single mode cable actually
travels down the cladding and the effective diameter of the cable is a blend of
single mode core and degree to which the cladding carries light. This is referred to
as the ‘mode field diameter’, which is larger than physical diameter of the core
depending on the refractive indices of the core and cladding.

 The disadvantage of this type of cable is that because of extremely small size
interconnection of cables and interfacing with source is difficult. Another
disadvantage of single mode fibers is that as the refractive index of glass
decreases with optical wavelength, the light velocity will also be wavelength
dependent. Thus the light from an optical transmitter will have definite
spectral width.

Multimode step Index Fiber

 Multimode step index fiber is more widely used type. It is easy to

manufacture. Its core diameter is 50 to 1000 µm i.e. large aperture and
allows more light to enter the cable. The light rays are propagated down the
core in zig-zag manner. There are many many paths that a light ray may
follow during the propagation.
 The light ray is propagated using the principle of total internal reflection
(TIR). Since the core index of refraction is higher than the cladding index of
refraction, the light enters at less than critical angle is guided along the fiber.

 Light rays passing through the fiber are continuously reflected off the
glass cladding towards the centre of the core at different angles and
lengths, limiting overall bandwidth.
 The disadvantage of multimode step index fibers is that the different optical
lengths caused by various angles at which light is propagated relative to the
core, causes the
31
 transmission bandwidth to be fairly small. Because of these limitations, multimode
step index fiber is typically only used in applications requiring distances of less than
1 km.

Multimode Graded Index Fiber

 The core size of multimode graded index fiber cable is varying from 50 to
100 µm range. The light ray is propagated through the refraction. The light
ray enters the fiber at

many different angles. As the light propagates across the core toward the center it
is intersecting a less dense to more dense medium. Therefore the light rays are
being constantly being refracted and ray is bending continuously. This cable is
mostly used for long distance communication.

Fig 1.6.18 shows multimode graded index fiber.

 The light rays no longer follow straight lines, they follow a serpentine path
being gradually bent back towards the center by the continuously declining
refractive index. The modes travelling in a straight line are in a higher
refractive index so they travel slower than the serpentine modes. This
reduces the arrival time disparity because all modes arrive at about the
same time.
 Fig 1.6.19 shows the light trajectory in detail. It is seen that light rays running
close to the fiber axis with shorter path length, will have a lower velocity
because they pass through a region with a high refractive index.

32
 Rays on core edges offers reduced refractive index, hence travel more faster than
axial rays and cause the light components to take same amount of time to travel
the length of fiber, thus minimizing dispersion losses. Each path at a different angle
is termed as
‘transmission mode’ and the NA of graded index fiber is defined as the
maximum value of acceptance angle at the fiber axis.

 Typical attenuation coefficients of graded index fibers at 850 nm are 2.5 to

3 dB/km, while at 1300 nm they are 1.0 to 1.5 dB/km.
 The main advantages of graded index fiber are:
1. Reduced refractive index at the centre of core.
2. Comparatively cheap to produce.
Standard fibers

Cladding Core
Fiber Diamete diam Applicatio
Sr. No. type r eter ns
(µm) (µm)
Single 1. Long
0.1% to
mode distance
1. 125 8 0.2%
2. High
(8/125) data rate
Multimo 1% to 1. Short
de distance
2. 125 50 2%
2. Low data
(50/125) rate
Multimo
1% to
de
3. 125 62.5 2% LAN
(62.5/12
5)
Multimo
1% to
de
4. 140 100 2% LAN
(100/140
)

Mode Theory for Cylindrical Waveguide

33
  To analyze the optical fiber propagation mechanism within a fiber, Maxwell
equations are to solve subject to the cylindrical boundary conditions at core-
cladding interface. The core-cladding boundary conditions lead to coupling
of electric and magnetic field components resulting in hybrid modes. Hence
the analysis of optical waveguide is more complex than metallic hollow
waveguide analysis.
 Depending on the large E-field, the hybrid modes are HE or EH modes. The
two lowest order does are HE11 and TE01.

Overview of Modes

 The order states the number of field zeros across the guide. The electric
fields are not completely confined within the core i.e. they do not go to zero
at core-cladding interface and extends into the cladding. The low order
mode confines the electric field near the axis of the fiber core and there is
less penetration into the cladding. While the high order mode distribute the
field towards the edge of the core fiber and penetrations into the cladding.
Therefore cladding modes also appear resulting in power loss.
 In leaky modes the fields are confined partially in the fiber core attenuated
as they propagate along the fiber length due to radiation and tunnel effect.
 Therefore in order to mode remain guided, the propagation factor β
must satisfy the condition

n2k < β < n1k

n1 = Refractive index of fiber core

where,
n2 = Refractive index of cladding k =

Propagation constant = 2π / λ

 The cladding is used to prevent scattering loss that results from core
material discontinuities. Cladding also improves the mechanical strength of
fiber core and reduces
surface contamination. Plastic cladding is commonly used. Materials used for
fabrication of optical fibers are silicon dioxide (SiO2), boric oxide-silica.

Summary of Key Modal Concepts

 Normalized frequency variable, V is defined as

where, a = Core radiu Free space wav

(1.7
.1)

34
 Since = NA … (1.7.2)

 The total number of modes in a multimode fiber is given by

Example 1.7.1 : Calculate the number of modes of an optical fiber having diameter of 50

µm, n1 = 1.48, n2 = 1.46 and λ = 0.82 µm.

Solution : d = 50 µm

n1 = 1.48

n2 = 1.46
λ = 0.82
µm

NA = (1.482 – 1.462)1/2
NA = 0.243
Number of modes are given by,

35
 M = 1083 …Ans.

Example 1.7.2 : A fiber has normalized frequency V = 26.6 and the operating wavelength is
1300nm. If the radius of the fiber core is 25 µm. Compute the numerical aperture.

Solution : V = 26.6
λ = 1300 nm = 1300 X
10-9 m
a = 25 µm = 25 X 10-
6m

NA = 0.220 … Ans.

Example 1.7.3 : A multimode step index fiber with a core diameter of 80 µm and a relative
index difference of 1.5 % is operating at a wavelength of 0.85 µm. If the core refractive
index is 1.48, estimate the normalized frequency for the fiber and number of guided
modes.

36
 [July/Aug.-
2008, 6 Marks]

Solution : Given : MM step index fiber, 2 a = 80 µm

 Core radians a = 40 µm

Relative index difference, = 1.5% = 0.015

Wavelength, λ = 0.85µm

Core refractive index, n1 = 1.48

Normalized frequency, V = ?

Number of modes, M = ?

Numerical aperture

1/2
= 1.48 (2 X 0.015)

= 0.2563

Normalized frequency is given by,

V = 75.78 … Ans.

Number of modes is given by,

37
 Ans

Example 1.7.4 : A step index multimode fiber with a numerical aperture of a 0.20
supports approximately 1000 modes at an 850 nm wavelength.

i) What is the diameter of its core?

ii) How many modes does the fiber support at 1320 nm?
iii) How many modes does the fiber support at 1550 nm? [Jan./Feb.-2007,
10 Marks]

Solution : i) Number of modes is given by,

38
 a = 60.49 µm … Ans.

ii
)

M = (14.39)2 = 207.07

iii)

M = 300.63

Wave Propagation

Maxwell’s Equations

Maxwell’s equation for non-conducting medium:

X E = - ∂B / X

H = - ∂D /

.D=0

.B0

where,

39
E and H are electric and magnetic field vectors.

 The relation between flux densities and filed

vectors: D = ε0 E + P

B = µ0 H + M

where,

ε0 is vacuum permittivity.

40
µ0 is vacuum permeability.

P is induced electric polarization.

M is induced magnetic polarization (M = 0, for non-magnetic silica glass)

 P and E are related by:

P(r, t) = ε0

Where,

X is linear susceptibility.

 Wave equation:

Fourier transform of E (r, t)

where,

n is refractive index.

α is absorption coefficient.

41
  Both n and α are frequency dependent. The frequency dependence of n
is called as chromatic dispersion or material dispersion.
 For step index fiber,

Fiber Modes

Optical mode : An optical mode is a specific solution of the wave equation that satisfies
boundary conditions. There are three types of fiber modes.

42
 a) Guided modes
b) Leaky modes
c) Radiation modes

 For fiber optic communication system guided mode is sued for

signal transmission.
Considering a step index fiber with core radius ‘a’.
The cylindrical co-ordinates ρ,  and can be used to represent boundary conditions.

 The refractive index ‘n’ has values

 The general solutions for boundary condition of optical field under guided
mode is
infinite at and decay to zero at . Using Maxwell’s equation in the
core region.

 The cut-off condition is defined as –

It is also called as normalized frequency.

Graded Index Fiber Structure

 The Refractive index of graded index fiber decreases continuously

43
 towards its radius from the fiber axis and that for cladding is constant.

 The refractive index variation in the core is usually designed by using power law
[Link], r = Radial distance from fiber axis

a = Core radius

n1 = Refractive index core

n2 Refractive index of cladding and α

= The shape of the index profile

 For graded index fiber, the index difference is given by,

 In graded index fiber the incident light will propagate when local numerical
aperture at distance r from axis, NA is axial numerical aperture NA(0). The
local numerical aperture is given as,

 The axial numerical aperture NA(0) is given as,

Hence Na for graded index decreases to zero as it moves from fiber axis to core-
cladding boundary.

 The variation of NA for different values of α is shown in Fig. 1.7.1.

 The number of modes for graded index fiber in given as,

44
 Single Mode Fibers

 Propagation in single mode fiber is advantageous because signal dispersion

due to delay differences amongst various modes in multimode is avoided.
Multimode step index fibers cannot be used for single mode propagation
due to difficulties in maintaining single mode operation. Therefore for the
transmission of single mode the fiber is designed to allow propagation in one mode
only, while all other modes are attenuated by leakage or absorption.

 For single mode operation, only fundamental LP01 mode many exist. The
single mode propagation of LP01 mode in step index fibers is possible over the
range.

 The normalized frequency for the fiber can be adjusted within the range by
reducing core radius and refractive index difference < 1%. In order to obtain
single mode operation with maximum V number (2.4), the single mode fiber
must have smaller core diameter than the equivalent multimode step index
fiber. But smaller core diameter has problem of launching light into the fiber,
jointing fibers and reduced relative index difference.

 Graded index fibers can also be sued for single mode operation with some
special fiber design. The cut-off value of normalized frequency Vc in single
mode operation for a graded index fiber is given by,

Example 1.8.1 : A multimode step index optical fiber with relative refractive index
difference 1.5% and core refractive index 1.48 is to be used for single mode operation. If
the operating wavelength is 0.85µm calculate the maximum core diameter.

Solution : Given :

n1 = 1.48
∆ = 1.5 % = 0.015

λ = 0.85 µm = 0.85 x 10-6 m

Maximum V value for a fiber which gives single mode operations is 2.4. Normalized

frequency (V number) and core diameter is related by expression,

45
 a = 1.3 µm … Ans.

Maximum core diameter for single mode operation is 2.6 µm.

46
Example 1.8.2 : A GRIN fiber with parabolic refractive index profile core has a refractive index at
the core axis of 1.5 and relative index difference at 1%. Calculate maximum possible core
diameter that allows single mode operations at λ = 1.3 µm.

Solution : Given :

for a GRIN

Maximum value of normalized frequency for single mode operation is given by,

Maximum core radius is given by expression,

a = 3.3 µm … Ans.

 Maximum core diameter which allows single mode operation is 6.6 µm.

Cut-off Wavelength

 One important transmission parameter for single mode fiber us cut-off

wavelength for the first higher order mode as it distinguishes the single
mode and multim0de regions.
 The effective cut-off wavelength λc is defined as the largest wavelength
at which
higher order mode power relative to the fundamental mode
power is reduced to 0.1 dB. The range of cut-off wavelength recommended to
avoid modal noise and dispersion problems is : 1100 to 1280 nm (1.1 to
1.28µm) for single mode fiber at 1.3 µm.
 The cut-off wavelength λc can be computed from expression of
47
 normalized frequency.

…. (1.8.1)

 .... (1.8.2)

where,

Vc is cut-off normalized frequency.

 λc is the wavelength above which a particular fiber becomes single

moded. For same fiber dividing λc by λ we get the relation as:

… (1.8.3)

But for step index fiver Vc = 2.405 then

Example 1.8.3 : Estimate cut-off wavelength for step index fiber in single mode
operation. The core refractive index is 1.46 and core radius is 4.5 µm. The relative index
difference is 0.25 %.

Solutions : Given :

n1 = 1.46

a = 4.5 µm

∆ = 0.25 % = 0.0025

Cut-off wavelength is given by,

For cut-off wavelength, Vc = 2.405

48
 Mode Field Diameter and Spot Size

 The mode filed diameter is fundamental parameter of a single mode

fiber. This parameter is determined from mode field distributions of
fundamental
LP01 mode.

 In step index and graded single mode fibers, the field amplitude distribution
is

49
 approximated by Gaussian distribution. The mode Field diameter (MFD) is distance
between opposite 1/e – 0.37 times the near field strength )amplitude) and power is
1/e2 = 0.135 times.
 In single mode fiber for fundamental mode, on field amplitude
distribution the mode filed diameter is shown in fig. 1.8.1.

 The spot size ω0 is gives as –

MFD = 2 ω0

The parameter takes into account the wavelength dependent filed penetration
into the cladding. Fig. 1.8.2 shows mode field diameters variation with λ.

50