Abstract

The WKB analysis is extended to take into account the discontinuity in index profile shape that occurs at the core-cladding boundary of graded-index optical waveguides. The presence of the cladding introduces a large correction to the delay times of the highest 5% of the guided modes and greatly increases the predicted rms pulse broadening of a parabolic profile fiber. Using a model of differential mode attenuation, it is shown that these highest order modes are very susceptible to attenuation. A small degree of waveguide irregularity restores the low pulse broadening originally predicted for a parabolic fiber.

© 1977 Optical Society of America

Pulse broadening in graded-index optical fibers

Robert Olshansky and Donald B. Keck
Appl. Opt. 15(2) 483-491 (1976)

Leaky modes in graded index optical fibers

Robert Olshansky
Appl. Opt. 15(11) 2773-2777 (1976)

Mode Coupling Effects in Graded-Index Optical Fibers

Robert Olshansky
Appl. Opt. 14(4) 935-945 (1975)

Evanescent-wave analysis of general clad graded-index fibers

Gunnar Jacobsen
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 72(6) 699-709 (1982)

Mode dependent attenuation in parabolic optical fibers

R. Olshansky and D. A. Nolan
Appl. Opt. 16(6) 1639-1641 (1977)