Optical Fiber Communications
Directional Coupler
Yasser M. Sabry, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Ain Shams University
Cairo, Egypt
Fall 2022-2023
Optical directional coupler
Recall the reciprocity property
14 October 2022 Optical Communications Directional Coupler (2)
BPM simulation of DC
Definition of the coupling length Lc
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Two-mode interference
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DC theory based on 2-mode interf.
𝜋
=
2𝜅
Coupling length Coupling coefficient Lc~ w for small w
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DC as a circuit element (1)
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DC as a circuit element (2)
Coupler ratio can be controlled using the coupler
length (design) and coupling gap (design, technology)
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DC wavelength dependence
Δ𝑛𝑒 ~𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
• For small wavelength range,
the coupling length is almost
proportional to the wavelength
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DC as Mux/Demux optical device
http://www.fiber-optic-equipment.com/category/fiber-optic-network/wdm-system
1 2
• DC can be used as 2x1
Mux/Demux making use
of the periodic output
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DC as power tap device
• Uses to tap a low fraction of the optical power (99/1,
90/10, …)
• Used in monitoring, providing taps for distributed
output, fiber lasers, fiber sensors…
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Datasheet parameters
https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=10137
• Losses, reflection back 2
from output to the input,
uniformity across the 1 4
operation spectral range
Optical Return Loss (ORL)
For certain o/p port
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Periodic power flow in the DC?
• For lossless guide, the length L
necessary for complete transfer of
power from one guide to the other
• In a real guide, with absorption
and scattering losses, β is
complex. Hence, the total power
contained in both guides
decreases by a factor exp(−αz).
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Fabrication of optical fiber coupler
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Optical fiber couplers
http://www.tpub.com/neets/tm/108-11.htm
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Fused Biconical Taper (FBT)
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