ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics

Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 65

Step-index silica fiber
Material and fabrication
Types and naming of modes
Derivation and solution of the WE
Solution of the WE
TE/TM modes
Hybrid modes
LP modes
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Introduction
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 66
Optical properties
SiO
2
& SiO
2
/GeO
2
0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2
l @mmD
1.47
1.48
1.49
1.5
1.51
n
g
0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2
l @mmD
-600
-500
-400
-300
-200
-100
0
D
@
s
p

H
m
n
m
k
L
D
L
o
s
s

[
d
B
/
k
m
]
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Materials and fabrication
Absorption:
Large at small wavelength due to Rayleigh scattering off of inhomogeneities
in the glass
Large at long wavelength due to molecular vibrational resonances
(absorption) farther out in the IR.
Is remarkably low loss around 1.5 microns
Dispersion:
Pure and doped silica have nearly identical dispersion
Zero dispersion around 1.3 microns
0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2
l @mmD
1.44
1.45
1.46
1.47
1.48
n
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 67
Fabrication of the preform
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Materials and fabrication
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 68
Drawing fiber
4000
o
F
1
0
-
2
0

m
/
s
e
c
Several km of fiber are typical on a single reel.
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Materials and fabrication
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 69
Types of modes
Exact solution
Meridonal rays (=0): TE & TM
Skew rays (0): HE & EH
Weakly guiding approximation
LP modes
Can be expressed as sum of TE,
TM, HE, EH that become
degenerate for small n
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Types of modes
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 70
Wave equation in cylindrical
for E
z
and H
z
Monochromatic vector WE
z E y E x E E
z y x

2 2 2 2
+ + =
r
Cartesian vector
Laplacian
0
2
0
2
=
(

\
|

= + E E k E
r r r

Scalar simplification
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) z z r E z r E r z r E z r E
z r
, ,

, , , , , ,

+ + =
r
Write E in cylindrical coordinates:
E radial
E azimuthal
E radial
E
z
E
z
does not couple to E
r
and E

fields:
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Derivation of the wave equation
0
1 1
0
2
0
2
2
2
2
2
2
0
2
= +

+
|

\
|

= +
z
z z z
z z
E k
z
E E
r r
E
r
r r
E k E

Scalar WE for E
z

2
in cylindrical coord.
E
z
Note that H
z
obeys the same W.E.
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 71
Solution of the WE
Separation of variables
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Solution of the wave equation
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) z Z r R z r E
z
= , ,
Separation of variables
Plug into wave equation. Note now ordinary differential eq.
0
1 1
2
0
2
2
2
2
2 2
2
= + +

+
(

+ Z R k
dz
Z d
R
d
d
RZ
r dr
dR
r dr
R d
Z

Multiply by r
2
/RZ
0
1 1 1
2 2
0
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
= + +

+
(

+ r k
dz
Z d
Z
r
d
d
dr
dR
r
dr
R d
r
R

Assume sinusoidal dependence in z: Z(z) = exp[-j z]

( ) 0
1 1
2 2 2
0
2
2
2
2
2
= +

+
(

+ r k
d
d
dr
dR
r
dr
R d
r
R

Depends on r Depends on r Depends on

( )
2
2
2
2 2 2
0
2
2
2
1 1

= +
(

+
d
d
r k
dr
dR
r
dr
R d
r
R
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 72
Solution of the WE
Radial and azimuthal functions
( )

j
e A
d
d

= =

2
2
2
Solution of azimuthal equation. Since must be periodic, =integer.
0
2
2
2 2
0
2
2
2
2
=
|
|

\
|
+
(

+ R
r
k r
dr
dR
r
dr
R d
r


Solution of radial equation.
Note similarity to d
2
/dr
2
+ (k
2
k
z
2
-(/r)
2
) = 0. Solutions:
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Solution of the wave equation
0 2 4 6 8 10
z
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
0 1 2 3 4
z
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
[ ] ( ) 0
2 2 2
= + + f z f z f z
( ) ( )
4 2
2
large
cos


z z J
z z
( )
z
z z
e z K


2
1
large
[ ] ( ) 0
2 2 2
= + + f z f z f z
zero
1 2.4048 3.8317 5.1356 6.3802 7.5883 8.7715
2 5.5201 7.0156 8.4172 9.7610 11.0647 12.3386
3 8.6537 10.1735 11.6198 13.0152 14.3725 15.7002
4 11.7915 13.3237 14.7960 16.2235 17.6160 18.9801
5 14.9309 16.4706 17.9598 19.4094 20.8269 22.2178
Zeros of J

:
Core: n
co
> N Core: n
cl
< N
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 73
Form of fields
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )

>
<
=

>
<
=

a r e e r K D
a r e e r k J B
z r H
a r e e r K C
a r e e r k J A
z r E
z j j
r
z j j
r
z
z j j
r
z j j
r
z

, ,
, ,
Forms of modes:
2 2
0
2 2
2 2
0
2 2
cl cl r
co co r
n N k k
N n k k k
= =
= =

where, as before,
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Solution of the wave equation
Through Maxwells curl equations, we can find all the transverse fields in
terms of these two longitudinal fields:
( )
( )
( )
( )

=
+ =
+ =
=
z i z
i
z z
i
z z
i
z z
i
E
r r
H
k
j
r
H
r r
E
i
k
j
r
E H
r
k
j
r
r
H E
r
k
j
H
H
E
E
0
2 2
2 2
0
2 2
2 2
0
0
i=core or cladding
We thus have 5 unknowns A,B,C,Dand and four continuity conditions
on E
z
, E

, H
z
, and H

leaving one free variable which is the total mode

amplitude.
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 74
Characteristic equation
and relations between amplitudes
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Characteristic equation
Steps:
1. Find the fields E

, and H

from the forms of E

z
and H
z
using the
expressions on the last page.
2. Set them equal across the boundary to generate four equations that
are linear in the four unknowns A,B,C,Dand transcendental in .
3. Require that the four equations be satisfied by setting the determinant
of the 4 4 matrix equation equal to zero.
4. The resulting equation involves only and is the characteristic
equation for the modes. (See section 4.5 for the details)
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
(

=
|
|

\
|
+
|

\
|
a K
a K k
a k J k
a k J k
a K
a K
a k J k
a k J
k a
r r
r cl
r r
r co
r r
r
r r
r
r r

2 2
2
2 2
2
1 1
For each = 0,1,2 there will be solutions with m = 0,1,2radial zeros.
This is analogous to the slab WG but with a new mode number .
Using the same B.C.s one can relate the field amplitudes:
( ) ( ) a K C a k J A
r r


= Continuity of E
z
:
( ) ( ) a K D a k J B
r r


= Continuity of H
z
:
( )
( )
( )
( )
(

=
|
|

\
|
+
|
|

\
|
a K
a K
a k J k
a k J
B
k a
j
A
r r
r
r r
r
r r

2 2
0
1 1
Continuity of E

:
( )
( )
( )
( )
|
|

\
|
+ =
(

|
|

\
|
2 2
2 2
1 1
r r r r
r cl
r r
r co
k
B
a K
a K n
a k J k
a k J n a j
A

Continuity of H

:
The last two are redundant, which is to be expected since one variable
should remained undetermined. We need both forms, as well see.
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 75
TE and TM modes
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
TE and TM modes
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
0
2 2
=
(

a K
a K k
a k J k
a k J k
a K
a K
a k J k
a k J
r r
r cl
r r
r co
r r
r
r r
r

For meridional rays that pass through the axis,

= 0. The characteristic equation becomes:
If this term = 0, then A = 0 by the continuity of E

:
( )
( )
( )
( )
0
1 1
2 2
0
=
(

=
|
|

\
|
+
|
|

\
|
a K
a K
a k J k
a k J
B
k a
j
A
r r
r
r r
r
r r

( ) ( ) 0 = = a k J A a K C
r r
and by the continuity of E
z
: so E
z
= 0 for all
space and thus these are TE modes.
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
=
(

=
(

a K
a K
a k J k
a k J
a K
a K
a k J k
a k J
r r
r
r r
r
r r
r
r r
r

The characteristic equation for the TE modes is thus:

Yielding the eigenvalues
TE
m 0

An analogous argument for the second term=0 yields B=D=0 so H

z
= 0 for
all space and thus TM modes. The characteristic equation for is:
TM
m 0

( )
( )
( )
( )
0
0
1
0
1
2
=
(
(

|
|

\
|

a K
a K
a k J k
a k J
n
n
r r
r
r r
r
cl
co

Like the slab, this looks like

TE but with a term like the
ratio of the indices squared.
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 76
TE
01
mode
E

, H
r
and H
z
If A = 0 and = 0, E
r
= 0 (see Eq. 4.21 in book) and E

varies like J
1
.
Electric field. Color plot = E
z
,
arrows = E
x
and E
y
Note that E
z
= 0 (TE).
Magnetic field. Color plot =
H
z
, arrows = H
x
and H
y
Note that H
z
0 (not TM).
Note that power is flowing out
of the screen.
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
TE and TM modes
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 77
TM
01
mode
E
r
, E
z
and H

If B = 0 and = 0, H
r
= 0 (see Eq. 4.21 in book) and H

varies like J
1
.
Electric field. Color plot = E
z
,
arrows = E
x
and E
y
Note that E
z
0 (not TE).
Magnetic field. Color plot =
H
z
, arrows = H
x
and H
y
Note that H
z
= 0 (TM)
Note that power is flowing out
of the screen.
In the weak guiding limit n
co
n
cl
these two modes will be ~ degenerate.
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
TE and TM modes
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 78
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
U
- 0.75
- 0.5
- 0.25
0
0.25
0.5
0.75
1
0 2 4 6
U
- 0.75
- 0.5
- 0.25
0
0.25
0.5
0.75
1
Graphical solution
of TE/TM characteristic equation
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
TE and TM modes
TE/TM characteristic equation
with normalizations and
polarization factor defined for slab
( )
( )
( )
( ) W K W
W K
U J U
U J
P
0
1
0
1
=
2
|
|

\
|
=
cl
co
p
n
n

for TM, = 1 for TE

2 2 2
U V W =
0
108 . 2
0015 .
5 . 1
m] [ 1
m] [ 5
0
=
=
=
=
=
=
mode
co
N
V
n
n

2 2
72 . 7
02 .
5 . 1
m] [ 1
m] [ 5
0
=
=
=
=
=
=
mode
co
N
V
n
n

V
LHS, TE
LHS, TM
RHS
2.4048 5.5201 TM difference exaggerated for clarity
L
i
g
h
t

l
i
n
e
C
u
t
o
f
f
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 79
TE/TM modes
Observations
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
TE and TM modes
Unlike the slab, there is a definite cutoff V below which TE and
TM modes do not propagate.
The first two (one TE and one TM) modes are allowed when
U = V = the first zero of J
0
= 2.405
The second two (one TE and one TM) modes are allowed when
U = V = the second zero of J
0
= 5.520
TM modes should have greater U than TE,
thus N
TM
< N
TE
.
2 2
0
2 2
0
sin N n a k k k a a k a k U
co z co co x
= = =

TE dispersion diagram for fiber with same properties of slab
waveguide example, previous.
a / c = a k
0
a

k
z
=

a

k
0
N
0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5 1.75

2
4
6
8
10
6
1
=
=
co
cl
n
n
Not allowed
Radiation
Bound
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 80
Hybrid modes
Nature of fields
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
( )
(
(

|
|

\
|

|
|

\
|
+ =
|
|

\
|
+ +
+ +

W K W
W K W K
U J U
U J U J
n
n
W K W
W K W K
U J U
U J U J
W U n
N
cl
co
cl

2 2

2 2
1 1
1 1 1 1
2
1 1 1 1
2
2 2
2
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Hybrid modes
If 0, we must use the complete characteristic equation.
Normalizing:
If 0, then neither of the terms in brackets is zero. From the boundary
conditions,
( )
( )
( )
( )
(

=
|
|

\
|
+
|
|

\
|
a K
a K
a k J k
a k J
B
k a
j
A
r r
r
r r
r
r r

2 2
0
1 1
( )
( )
( )
( )
|
|

\
|
+ =
(

|
|

\
|
2 2
2 2
1 1
r r r r
r cl
r r
r co
k
B
a K
a K n
a k J k
a k J n a j
A

If either A or B is zero, then both must be zero, and all fields are zero
everywhere.
Thus, the modes have both E
z
and H
z
and are neither TE nor TM.
If B < A (H
z
< E
z
), the modes are labeled HE.
If A < B (E
z
< H
z
), the modes are labeled EH.
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 81
0 2 4 6
U
- 0.75
- 0.5
- 0.25
0
0.25
0.5
0.75
1
Graphical solution
Single and multimode
(left and right)
0 2 4 6
U
2.5
5
7.5
10
12.5
15
17.5
20
0 2 4 6
U
2.5
5
7.5
10
12.5
15
17.5
20
0 2 4 6
U
2.5
5
7.5
10
12.5
15
17.5
20
0 2 4 6
U
2.5
5
7.5
10
12.5
15
17.5
20
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
U
2.5
5
7.5
10
12.5
15
17.5
20
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
U
2.5
5
7.5
10
12.5
15
17.5
20
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
U
2.5
5
7.5
10
12.5
15
17.5
20
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
U
2.5
5
7.5
10
12.5
15
17.5
20
108 . 2
0015 .
5 . 1
m] [ 1
m] [ 5
0
=
=
=
=
=
V
n
n

a
co

72 . 7
02 .
5 . 1
m] [ 1
m] [ 5
0
=
=
=
=
=
V
n
n

a
co

Modal analysis of step-index fibers

Hybrid modes

=
0

=
1

=
2

=
3

=
4
m=1 m=2
m=1 m=1 m=2,3 m=4,5
m=1 m=2,3
m=1 m=2,3
m=1 m=2
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 82
Number of modes
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Hybrid modes
For weak guiding, n
co
~ n
cl
and RHS and a new mode appears with every
zero of J

. Taking the large argument approximation for J

( ) ( )
4 2
2
large
cos


a k a k J
r a k
z
r
r
Note similarity to the slab waveguide. For each n, the number of radial
modes will thus be approximately

4 2
a k
r
# of modes m for each =
HE
11
mode doesnt cut off. First TE mode cuts in at U = V = first null of J
0
SINGLE MODE CONDITION: V < 2.405
At cut off k
r
a ~ V, so the cut off condition for each mode , m is
( )
2

+ = m V

V
V

2
0
0
Total number of eigenvalues
2
|

\
|

V
Times two orientations
and polarizations
2
2
|
|

\
|

V
Which is the square of the slab case.
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 83
HE
11
mode
Polarization 1
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Hybrid modes
Electric field. Color plot = E
z
,
arrows = E
x
and E
y
Note that E
z
0.
Note that nearly linear
polarized.
Magnetic field. Color plot =
H
z
, arrows = H
x
and H
y
Note that H
z
0.
Note that power is flowing out
of the screen.
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 84
HE
11
mode
Polarization 2
Electric field. Color plot = E
z
,
arrows = E
x
and E
y
Note that E
z
0.
Note that nearly linear
polarized.
Magnetic field. Color plot =
H
z
, arrows = H
x
and H
y
Note that H
z
0.
Note that power is flowing out
of the screen.
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Hybrid modes
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 85
Hybrid mode shapes
Electric fields, only one polarization and orientation
=1
=2
=3
=4
m=1 m=2
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Hybrid modes
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 86
LP modes
Derivation of the characteristic equation
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
(
(

|
|

\
|
(

=
|
|

\
|
+
|
|

\
|
W K W
W K
U J U
U J
n
n
W K W
W K
U J U
U J
W U n
N
cl
co
cl

2
2
2 2
2

1 1
Start with the complete characteristic equation
And let n
co
be nearly n
cl
. N must thus also be nearly n
cl
and the equation
simplifies to
( )
( )
( )
( )
2
2
2 2
2
1 1
(

=
|
|

\
|
+
W K W
W K
U J U
U J
W U

Using Bessel function identities like

( )
( )
( )
( ) W K W
W K
U J U
U J

1 1
0

=
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) z J
z
z J z J
z
z J z J


+ = =
+ 1 1
The LHS can be cancelled, leave a relation much like that of the TE/TM:
+ EH
- HE
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
LP modes
The book simplifies this one more step, but I cant get their formula, so Ill
stop here. We can see from this expression that =0 yields our TE modes.
Since weve approximated n
co
n
cl
, TM
0m
must be degenerate with TE
0m
.
These modes are also degenerate with HE
2m
.
For 0, the upper and lower signs yield different equations, associated
with the modes as shown. HE
+1, m
is degenerate with EH
-1, m
.
We may thus linearly combine modes within any degenerate set to create a
more convenient set of modes, still with the same effective index.
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 87
LP modes
Field distributions
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
LP modes
+ =
TE
01
HE
21
Each degenerate set can be linearly combined to create a new set with
predominately linear polarizatoins.
The axial polarizations (E
z
and H
z
) are much smaller than the transverse.
This is consistent with the weakly guiding approximation the angle of
propagation must be very near the axis (NA very small).
For modes with no angular variation, there are two orthogonal polarizations.
For modes with angular variation (e.g. sin( )), there is also a second
angular phase (e.g. cos( )), which is functionally orthogonal.
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 88
LP modes
of a parabolic fiber
Michelson, Chapter 5
m=1 m=10

=
0

=
9
Each mode >0 has two possible angular
phases and all have two possible polarizations
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
LP modes
ECE 4006/5166 Guided Wave Optics
Robert R. McLeod, University of Colorado 89
Summary
The solution of the wave-equation in cylindrical
coordinates yields J in the core (like cos) and K in the
cladding (like e
-x
).
Matching these functions across the boundary with the
EM boundary conditions yields a complex
characteristic equation for which has different
solutions m for each angular mode number .
If there is no angular variation (=0), the solutions are
TE
0m
and TM
0m
.
Otherwise the solutions involve all 6 field components
and are labeled HE
m
and HM
m
.
The HE
11
mode is ~linearly polarized and never cuts
off.
The number of modes in terms of V is roughly equal to
the number in a slab waveguide of the same
parameters, squared.
TE/TM modes occur for V > 2.405.
Increases in the decrease the maximum m by ~1/2.
In the limit of weak guiding, sets of these modes have
degenerate effective indices and can thus be linearly
combined.
The resulting LP modes are linearly polarized, have
small axial fields and have two degenerate
polarizations and (for modes with angular variation)
two angular phases.
Modal analysis of step-index fibers
Summary