E C E
Fiber Optic Communication
ECE 4255
Oishi Jyoti
Lecturer
Department of ECE
RUET
Reference Books
Fiber Optic Communication - Joseph Palais
Optical Fiber Communication - John M. Senior
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Outlines
Electromagnetic Waves
Dispersion
Polarization
Resonant Cavities
Reflection at plane boundary
Critical Angle
Slab waveguide
Modes in symmetric and asymmetric
Integrated Optic Components
Coupling
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Electromagnetic Waves
Light consists of an electric field and a magnetic field
The wave repeats itself at a fixed time, after a distance λ
Wave number = 1/λ
E = E0 sin (wt – kz)
E0 = peak amplitude, w = radian frequency, k = propagation factor (k=w/v), v = phase
velocity, (wt-kz) = phase, kz = phase shift
𝑤𝑛 𝑐
Now, k = As, v = Wavelength at free space λ𝑜 = c/f
𝑐 𝑛
𝑤 Wavelength at medium λ=v/f
Propagation constant at free space k0 = λ𝑜 𝑐
𝑐
So, = =n
λ 𝑣
So, k = nk0
Again, k =
2𝜋
As, λ=v/f and w=2𝜋f The λ is shorter than λ𝑜 becoz n >1
λ
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Dispersion
Dispersion is the spreading out of a light pulse in time as it propagates
down the fiber
Dispersion causes loss in amplitude
Types:
✓ Modal dispersion
✓ Chromatic dispersion
✓ Polarization mode dispersion
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Modal Dispersion
Modal dispersion is a distortion mechanism occurring in multimode fibers
Light rays propagate through different paths hence their reaching time at
the destination is different.
The longer the path is, the higher the model dispersion will be.
The high-order modes (light entering at sharp angles) have more model
dispersion than low-order modes (light entering at smaller angles).
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Chromatic Dispersion
Chromatic dispersion is a phenomenon of signal spreading over time
resulting from the different speeds of light rays
Combination of i) material dispersion and ii) waveguide dispersion.
Material dispersion is caused by the wavelength dependence of the
refractive index on the fiber core material
τ
Waveguide dispersion occurs due to dependence of the mode △(𝐿) = 𝑀△λ
propagation constant on the fiber parameters (core radius, and
difference between refractive indexes in fiber core and fiber cladding) τ= time for a pulse to travel a path
and signal wavelength L= path length
M=Material dispersion
△λ=spectral width
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Polarization Mode Dispersion
PMD represents the polarization dependence of the propagation characteristics of
light waves in optical fibers.
When the light is defined as an energy wave, it possesses 2 mutually
perpendicular field axes.
The moment the light enter into the fiber, these two axes transfers at different
speeds, and PMD occurs.
Due to asymmetry of
fiber strand caused
by manufacturing
process
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Zero Dispersion Wavelength
The zero-dispersion wavelength is the
wavelength or wavelengths at which
material dispersion and waveguide
dispersion cancel one another.
In all silica-based optical fibers, minimum
material dispersion occurs naturally at a
wavelength of approximately 1300 nm.
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Scattering
Scattering is the loss of signal caused by the diffusion of a light beam.
Figure 3: Scattering loss
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Attenuation
Attenuation is the rate at which the signal light decreases in intensity.
The attenuation of the optical fiber is a result of two factors, absorption and
scattering.
Absorption is caused by the absorption of the light and conversion to heat by
molecules in the glass.
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Polarization
A beam of light can be thought of as being composed of two orthogonal field
components.
A light wave that is vibrating in more than one plane is known as unpolarized
light.
Types:
✓ Linear polarization
✓ Circular polarization
✓ Elliptical polarization
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Resonant Cavities
➢ A cavity resonator is a space surrounded by a rectangular- or cylindrical-
shape metal conductor that can confine electromagnetic waves by
reflecting them back and forth between the cavity's boundaries.
➢ Applications:
✓ Filters
✓ Sources
✓ Frequency Sensors
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Reflection at Plane Boundary
➢ Problem concerning the amount of light reflected at a boundary is
important to determine.
✓ The air to glass boundaries
✓ Interface between the core and surrounding layer
✓ Two air-glass boundary where there is a air gap between 2 fiber
𝑛1−𝑛2
➢ The reflection coeffcient ρ=
𝑛1+𝑛2
Where, n1= refractive index in the incident region
n2 = refractive index in the transmitted region
𝑛1−𝑛2 2
➢ The reflectance R = ( )
𝑛1+𝑛2
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Slab Waveguide
➢ An optical waveguide is a physical structure that guides electromagnetic
waves in the optical spectrum.
➢ basic principles behind optical waveguides can be described using the
concepts of geometrical or ray optics.
➢ The slab waveguide consists of three layers of materials with different
dielectric constants
➢ Light is confined in the middle layer by total internal reflection if the
refractive index of the middle layer is larger than that of the
surrounding layers.
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Symmetry & Asymmetry Waveguide
In a symmetric planar waveguide, the optical constants of the upper and
lower cladding are equal
Types:
▪ TE
▪ TM
➢ Asymmetric planar waveguide - When the optical constants of the upper and
lower cladding mediums are different, then the structure forms an
asymmetric planar waveguide.
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Integrated Optic Components
The basic structure of an optical fiber consists of three parts the core, the cladding, and
the coating or buffer.
Core :
❑ cylindrical rod of dielectric material
❑ index of refraction n1.
❑ made of glass
Figure 1: Structure of optical fiber
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Basic Structure of an Optical Fiber
The core is surrounded by a layer of material called the cladding. Even though light will
propagate along the fiber core without the layer of cladding material, the cladding does
perform some necessary functions.
Cladding layer:
❑ made of a dielectric material
❑ index of refraction n2.
❑ n2<n1
❑ generally made of glass or plastic.
Figure 1: Structure of optical fiber[1]
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Basic Structure of an Optical Fiber
Can you now think of a reason as to why this would be necessary?
As a matter of fact, the cladding is not essential for light propagation.
But it increases efficiency and reduces scattering losses in addition to
providing mechanical strength. So we might as well as use it!
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Basic Structure of an Optical Fiber
Functions of cladding:
❑ Reduces loss of light from the core into the
surrounding air
❑ Reduces scattering loss at the surface of the core
❑ Adds mechanical strength.
Figure 1: Structure of optical fiber[1]
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Basic Structure of an Optical Fiber
For extra protection, the cladding is enclosed in an additional layer called the coating
or buffer. The coating or buffer is a layer of material used to protect an optical fiber
from physical damage.
Coating/Buffer :
❑ material used for a buffer is a type of
plastic.
❑ is elastic in nature and prevents abrasions
❑ also prevents the optical fiber from Figure 2: Bending
scattering losses caused by microbends.
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Types of fiber
Based on mode :
❑ Single mode : propagates in one mode.
❑ Multi mode : propagates more than one light.
Figure 5: Multimode and single mode 22
Types of fiber
Based on refractive index:
❑ Step index fiber : The refractive index of the core is uniform throughout and
undergoes on abrupt change at the core cladding boundary
❑ Graded index fiber : The refractive index of the core is made to vary
gradually such that it is maximum at the center of the core.
Figure 6: Single index & graded index fiber
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Types of fiber
Based on refractive index:
❑ Step index fiber
❑ Graded index fiber
Figure 7: Single index & graded index fiber
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Types of fiber
Based on material :
❑ Plastic core, glass cladding
❑ Glass core, plastic cladding
❑ Glass core, glass cladding
❑ Plastic core, plastic cladding
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Coupling
Method of integrating light into optical fiber.
Types:
▪ Edge Coupling
▪ Prism Coupling
▪ Grating Coupling
➢ Edge Coupling: Laser diode is attached to the edge of the fiber.
➢ Problems: a. The source must be no larger than the core
b. Achieving desired angle in the core is difficult
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Coupling
➢ Prism Coupling: Introduces light into an integrated optic circuit.
➢ Extraction energy at TIR is called frustrated TIR.
➢ Problems: a. The film being added must be in phase with the
wave already present
Grating Coupling:
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Thank you
