DR. M.

Sherif Optical Fiber Communications

Electromagnetic Wave Theory (Mode Theory)
Mode is a term used in the study of standing waves. A standing wave
is produced when two waves with the same frequency and amplitude
moving in the opposite direction interfere. A standing wave has no
net energy transfer in any direction. The mode of the standing wave
is given by the number of loops within the standing wave.
Meridional ray propagates as plane waves along the z-axis. Consider
that the Electric/Magnetic Component of the wave will be in the x-
direction. Now, we have two identical waves that are bouncing from
the two upper and down interface. This yields to a Standing Wave or
(Mode). If we have Electric component in the x-direction we call it
TE-Mode (Transverse Electrical Field). If we have Magnetic
component in the X-direction we call it TM-Mode.
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TE
0
DR. M. Sherif Optical Fiber Communications
A mode of propagation is only observed when the angle between the
propagation vector and the interface (boundary of the cladding and the
core) has particular values.
Depending on the mode of propagation an electric field distribution is
formed. The electric field decays towards the boundaries. For all modes
of propagation the self-consistency condition has to be satisfied which
means that the wave in the waveguide reproducing itself (i.e. the same
wave pattern !!!).
TE
m
: m denotes the number of occurrence of zero electric field
intensity along x-axis
TEMi,j: is a circular mode, exists in a single mode fiber, which has
both E and M components perpendicular to z-axis.
DR. M. Sherif Optical Fiber Communications
DR. M. Sherif Optical Fiber Communications
TEMij
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Propagation, attenuation and phase constants
The propagation constant is separated into two components that have
very different effects on signals:
A wave propagating in space or down a
wave guide suffers from both
attenuation and phase shift both are
proportional to the length travelled and
given by the equation:
Where,
P
o
is the output power
P
i
.. is the Input power
l .. is the distance travelled
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Then,
The Attenuation of the Signal is given by =
i.e.
Attenuation in [dB] = 8.686 * Attenuation in [Neper]
Or:
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And,
the Phase Shift in Radian, [Rd] =
is called the Attenuation
Constant.

And,
is called the Phase Shift
Constant

Both and are dependent
on the medium
characteristics and the signal
frequency.
DR. M. Sherif Optical Fiber Communications
DR. M. Sherif Optical Fiber Communications
DR. M. Sherif Optical Fiber Communications
Electromagnetic Wave Theory:
In free space, the wave number k is defined as:
The number of complete wave cycles per unit length [m]
k may be expressed also in radians as:
Where, c is the speed of EM propagation in free space, approximately
equals to 2.99792 x 10
8
meters per second.
DR. M. Sherif Optical Fiber Communications
Now, Considering a monochromatic plane wave light that propagates
along the z-axis. Then, the wave number of this light is given by:
Where, is the wave phase constant.
And, n
1
is refractive index of the fiber core.
In media other than free space, c must be replaced by the phase
velocity and, in fiber glass k is changed to .

Considering fiber glass with refractive index n, then:
Thus:
And,
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In a chromatic plane wave , we have more than one wave. We have a
wave bundle. Every wave of the bundle has a phase velocity. The
resultant is a group velocity.
If the phase velocity is given by:
If the group velocity is given by:
In fiber glass the refractive index n is dependent on the wavelength
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Also,
=>
Thus,
Thus,
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For generality consider n, N in place of n
1
and N
1
N is called the Group Index of the fiber guide
Define the material dispersion coefficient M():
then:
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Example:
Consider N is constant for certain wavelength domain (0.6 1.6) m and
equals to N = 1.3.
At = 0.85 m, it was found that n = 1.4. What is the value for n?
at = 1.33 m. Also, find M(= 0.85 m).
Solution:
=>
=>
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At = 0.85 m => n = 1.4 then, 1.4 = 1.3 + 0.85 k
k = (0.1/0.85) = 0.1176 m
-1

Then, n= 1.3+0.1176
n (1.33) = 1.3 + 0.1176 * (1.33) = 1.456
Also,
And, Differentiate both sides of the equation:
DR. M. Sherif Optical Fiber Communications
Example:
Find an expression for n() in the given regions:
a) = (1.3 1.55 ) m
b) = (0.85 1.3 ) m
c) = (0.4 0.6 ) m
DR. M. Sherif Optical Fiber Communications
Any
Questions