Fiber Optics

Fiber Optics
Fiber optics, also spelled fibre optics, the science of transmitting data,
voice, and images by the passage of light through thin, transparent fibers.
Or
It is technology used to transmit information in the form of pulses of light
through standard of fiber made up of glass or plastic over long distance.
 Total Internal Reflection(TIR)

Principle of Optical fiber

• Light ray moving from denser medium to rarer
medium.
• Refracted ray bend away from the normal.
• An angle of incidence for which angle of
refraction is 90 called “Critical angle”.
• For angle of incidence greater than critical
angle light ray reflected back in the same
denser medium called TIR.

Definition TIR
• Light ray travelling from high R.I to low R.I.
and angle of incidence in greater than critical
angle then only reflection take place called
TIR.
 Optical Fiber Construction.
• Optical fiber is thin glass or plastic rod design to guide light
waves along its length.
• Practically fiber consist three coaxial regions, Core, Clad and
sheath.
• The inner most light guiding region called core, surrounded
by co axial middle region known as clad & the outer most
region is called as sheath.
• Core made of silica glass, diameter about 50 µm.
• Diameter of cladding is about 125-150 µm, having low R.I
than core.
• Light launched in to the core, hit the core cladding interface
at angle greater than critical angle will reflected back in core.
• Since angle of incidence & angle of reflection are equal, light 125 µm 50µm 250µm
will continue to rebound & propagated through the cable.
• Sheath protect the core & clad from physical &
environmental conditions. Increases its mechanical strength.
• Diameter of sheath is about 250 µm onwards.
 Important Parameters Acceptance Angle(ϴa max)
The maximum value of external incident angle that light ray
relative to the axis of core & propagated through the optical
Condition for TIR fiber.
• Angle of incidence ϴi should be greater than ϴa max = 𝑆𝑖𝑛 − 1 ( 𝑛21 − 𝑛2 2)
critical angle ϴc. (ϴi > ϴc)
ϴa max = 𝑆𝑖𝑛 − 1 (𝑁𝐴)
• R.I of core(n1) must be greater than R.I of Clad
Acceptance Cone
(n2 ) (n1 > n2 )
If ϴa is rotated around the core axis, then cone is formed called
Acceptance cone.
Critical Angle (ϴc.)
• Angle of incidence for which angle of refraction
Numerical Aperture(NA)
is 90⁰
The sine of acceptance angle.
Or
An angle measure the light gathering ability of optical
fiber i.e. amount of light that can be accepted by fiber.

N.A = 𝑆𝑖𝑛 ϴa
N.A = 𝑆𝑖𝑛(𝑆𝑖𝑛 − 1 𝑛21 − 𝑛2 2)
N.A = 𝑛21 − 𝑛2 2
 Fractional Refractive Index change
It is the ratio of difference between refractive indices of core and clad to
the refractive index of core.
𝑛 −𝑛
i,e ∆= 1 2
𝑛1
It is always positive.
For guiding light rays effectively through a fiber, ∆<<1,typically is of
the order of 0.01
Relation between N.A and fractional refractive index change

(𝑛12 − 𝑛22) = (𝑛1 − 𝑛2)(𝑛1 + 𝑛2)

𝑛1−𝑛2 𝑛1+𝑛2
= 2𝑛1
𝑛1 2
= ∆𝑛12𝑛1
(𝑛12 − 𝑛22) = 2∆𝑛12
Taking square root on both sides,
N.A = 𝑛21 − 𝑛2 2 = 𝑛1 2∆
Derivation for Numerical Aperture(N.A) and Acceptance
Angle(ϴa max)
Consider a light propagation through an optical fiber as
shown.
Let ϴi be the angle of incidence of light ray with the axis of
fiber .
ϴr be the angle made by refracted ray with axis. Light ray
hits the core cladding interface at an angle ϴc critical with
normal.
𝑛1- Refractive index of core.
𝑛2- Refractive index of clad.
𝑛0- Refractive index of air.(Light launching medium.)
A/C to TIR ϴr > ϴc and 𝑛1> 𝑛2 light ray remains within the
fiber.
Let ϴi= ϴa max = Maximum incident angle.
Applying Snells law to pair of core and clad.
𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴc 𝑛2
=
𝑆𝑖𝑛 90⁰ 𝑛1
Derivation for Numerical Aperture(N.A) and Acceptance
Angle(ϴa max)
𝑛2
𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴc =
𝑛1
𝑛2
𝑆𝑖𝑛(90 − ϴr) = //⸪ϴc = 90 − ϴr
𝑛1
𝑛
Cosϴr = 2 //⸪𝑆𝑖𝑛(90 − ϴ) = Cosϴ
𝑛1
𝑛
1− 𝑆𝑖𝑛2ϴr = 2 …………………….(1)
𝑛1

Applying Snells law to pair of air and core.

𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴa max 𝑛
= 1
𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴr 𝑛0
𝑛0
𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴa max = 𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴr …………..(2)
𝑛1
put in equation (1) =>
𝑛0 2 𝑛2 𝑛02 𝑛22
1− 𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴa max = => 1 − 2 𝑆𝑖𝑛 ϴa
2 max =
𝑛1 𝑛1 𝑛1 𝑛12

𝑛22 𝑛02 𝑛12−𝑛22 𝑛02

2 𝑆𝑖𝑛 ϴa max 2 𝑆𝑖𝑛 ϴa max
1− = 2 => = 2
𝑛12 𝑛1 𝑛12 𝑛1
 Derivation for Numerical Aperture(N.A) and Acceptance
Angle(ϴa max)
 𝑛21 − 𝑛2 2 = 𝑛0 𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴa max
 𝑛0 - R.I of air & 𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴa max − N.A

N.A = 𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴa max = 𝑛21 − 𝑛2 2

Also
𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴa max = 𝑛21 − 𝑛2 2

ϴa max = Sin -1 ( 𝑛21 − 𝑛2 2)

ϴa max = Sin -1 (N. A)

 Modes of Propagation
• Light propagated as an electromagnetic wave through
optical fiber.
• All the waves having ray direction above critical angle
will trapped within optical fiber due to TIR.
• Only certain ray directions are allowed to propagate.
• The allowed directions correspond to the modes of the
fiber.
Definition
• Possible number of path of light in an optical fiber
along which the waves are in phase & create
constructive interference.
• The number of modes that a fiber will support given by
d
=
λ
d- Diameter of core, λ- wavelength of light
Types of Optical fiber
Depending upon mode of propagation optical fiber divided
in to two types.
• Single Mode Fiber (SMF)
• Multi Mode Fiber (MMF)

Single Mode Fiber (SMF)

• The fiber having small diameter.
• Allow light to propagate only one direction.

Multi Mode Fiber (MMF)

• The fiber having large diameter than SMF.
• Allow light to propagate number of directions.
Further classified in to
• Step Index Fiber
• Graded Index optical fiber
Types of Optical fiber
Step Index Fiber
• In step index fiber, the refractive index of core is
uniform throughout and undergoes an abrupt change
(step change) at the core cladding interface.
• Depending upon number of modes propagated by the
fiber we have single mode and multimode step index
fibers.
Single Mode Step Index Fiber
• A single mode or monomode step index fiber allows the
propagation of only one traverse electromagnetic mode
and hence the core diameter must be of the order of 2
µm to 10µm.
• It has high information carrying capacity.
• The single mode step index fiber has the distinct
advantage of low intermodal dispersion, as only one
mode is transmitted.
• It can be used for long distance communication.
• It requires highly directional source such as LASER
diode because of small core diameter, hence the cost is
higher.
Types of Optical fiber
Multi Mode Step Index Fiber
• Multimode step index fiber with a core diameter of
around 50 µm or greater allows the propagation of a
finite number of guided modes along the channel.
• The total number of guided modes Nm for a step index
fiber is given
𝑉2
Nm=
2
Where, V denotes the V-number which is a normalized
frequency parameter.
• In multimode step index fiber dispersion is high due to
the differing group velocities of the propagating modes.
• Due to high dispersion the information carrying
capacity is less.
• It cannot be used for long distance communication as
dispersion is a function of length.
• Simple to fabricate than single mode fiber and LED can
be used as light source.
Types of Optical fiber

Graded Index Fiber

• Multimode graded index fiber is the combination of
both single mode as well as multi mode.
• The boundary between core and cladding is not sharply
defined as step index fiber.
• The refractive index of core decreases parabolically .
• R.I is highest at the center and decrease along radius of
core. However cladding has uniform R.I.
• Due to variation in R.I across the core light ray bend
continuously and travel a helical pattern with change in
their propagation direction.
• The ray travelling along the axis ,having shorter path
than core cladding interface.
V- number or Normalized Frequency
• The normalized frequency of fiber optics cable is called V-number.
2π𝑎
V = 𝑁. 𝐴
λ
a-Radius of core,λ- wavelength
2π𝑎
V= ( 𝑛2 1 − 𝑛2 2 )
λ
2π𝑎
V= (𝑛1 2∆)
λ
• The maximum number of modes supported by the step index fiber is
given by
𝑉2
Nm =
2
• The maximum number of modes supported by the graded index fiber
is given by
𝑉2
Nm=
4
• For V< 2.405 the fiber can support only one mode .
• For V > 2.405 the fiber can support many mode .
Attenuation in Optical Fiber.
• Attenuation or Transmission loss is the loss of optical power as light travels down a fiber .
10 𝑃𝑖
α = 𝑙𝑜𝑔10
𝐿 𝑃𝑜
α- Attenuation coefficient , P𝑖 –Optical input power, Po-Optical output power.
It express in dB/Km
• The decrease in the signal strength along a fiber optics caused due to absorption and
scattering.
 Absorption
• Even pure glass absorb light in
specific wavelength
• Commercial cable operated
between 100 nm to 1600nm
corresponding to infrared &
ultraviolet region.
• Strong electronic absorption at UV
region, while vibrational absorption
at IR region.
• These losses are the inherent
property of glass itself because of
crystal structure, called intrinsic
absorption.
• When added impurities in fiber
optics , extrinsic absorption losses
occurs. Impurities like Hydroxyl
ions metal like copper, nickel,
chromium. Electronic absorption
take place in visible range.
Scattering
• Glass is disordered structure having
microscopic variation in density, cause
local variation in R.I.
• Propagation of light through such
structure produce scattering losses .
• Ray of light scattering is proportional to
λ-4.
• Thus scattering is set at lower limit on
the wavelength that can be transmitted
by fiber.
• Rayleigh scattering occurs when density
variation is 1/10 th of operating
wavelength.
• Mie scattering occurs when density
variation is greater than 1/10 th of
operating wavelength.
Bending
• Attenuation take place due to
bending of an optical fiber.
• A bend of finite radius of
curvature classified in two type
Microscopic Macroscopic
• Bending of cable is less than
diameter of cable include
microscopic bending.
• Bending of cable is greater than
diameter of cable include
macroscopic bending.
• This loss introduced during
manufacturing process,
irregularities in fiber construction
process, uneven coating , improper
cabling, faulty coupling or
installation.
 Advantages of optical fiber.
• Wide band width
Due to wide band width information
carrying capacity of optical fiber is
very large than copper cable
system.(10 13 – 1016 Hz)
• Small size & low weight
Having very small diameter hence
it is much smaller & lighter than
copper cable.
• Electrical Isolation • Easy maintenance
Optical fiber are fabricated from Optical fiber are more reliable and
glass or plastics hence do nor pick up easy to maintain than copper cables
Electromagnetic waves and
transmission is noise free.
• Low cost
• Signal Security Row material for glass is (Silica)
sand is available in plenty on earth.
Optical fiber provides high degree
Hence optical fiber is less costly
of signal security.
than copper.
• Longer life time
Life span of optical fiber is large
than copper cable.
 Applications of optical fiber.
• For communication like telephone, teleconferencing, cable T.V
• To transmit digital data generated by computer.
• Used in military for communication , command & control links on ship
& aircrafts
• Fiber sensors are used to measure physical quantities like temperature,
pressure, rotary & linear position, liquid level , in Gyroscopes,
Hydrophones
• Used in security system.
• Used in medical for endoscopy for visualization of internal portion of
human body
• Used to examine weld nozzles & combustion chamber inside the jet
aircraft engines.
• Used in undersea cable system in international telecommunication
system.
• Used for LAN and WAN.
• Factory automation.
Numericals
𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴc 𝑛2
=
𝑆𝑖𝑛 90⁰ 𝑛1

N.A = 𝑛2 1 − 𝑛2 2

ϴa = Sin -1 (N. A)
𝑛1−𝑛2
∆=
𝑛1

2π𝑎
V= 𝑁. 𝐴
λ

𝑁. 𝐴 = 𝑛1 2∆

10 𝑃𝑖
α = 𝑙𝑜𝑔10
𝐿 𝑃𝑜
Numericals
• Calculate N.A & acceptance angle for • A fiber is made up with core glass of R.I
an optical fiber of refractive indices of 1.5 & cladding is drop to give a R.I
core & clad are 1.45 & 1.40 resp. change of 0.0005 find- R.I of clad, critical
angle, Acceptance angle, N.A.
Given n1=1.45 ,n2=1.40, N.A=?,ϴa=?
Given n1=1.5 , Δ=0.0005, n2=?,N.A=?, ϴc=?
N.A = 𝑛21 − 𝑛2 2 ϴa=?
N.A = (1.45)2 − (1.40)2 𝑛 − 𝑛2
∆= 1
𝑛1
=0.3775
ϴa = Sin -1 (N. A) 1.5 − 𝑛2
0.0005 =
ϴa = Sin (0.3775)
-1 1.5
0.0005 X 1.5 = 1.5 − 𝑛2
ϴa = 22.18
𝑛2=1.49
N.A = 𝑛21 − 𝑛2 2
N.A = (1.5)2 − (1.49)2
=0.173
44
Numericals
ϴa = Sin -1 (N. A) 0.32
𝑛1 =
ϴa = Sin -1 (0.173) 2X1.2X10−3
0.32
ϴa = 9.957 𝑛1 =
0.049
𝑆𝑖𝑛ϴc 𝑛
= 2 𝑛1 = 6.53
𝑆𝑖𝑛 90⁰ 𝑛1
𝑛2 1.49 N.A = 𝑛21 − 𝑛2 2
ϴc = Sin -1 ϴc = Sin -1
𝑛1 1.5 (N. A)2 = n21 − n22
ϴc = 83.38 n22 = n21 −(N. A)2
n22 = 6.53 2 − (0.32)2
n22 = 42.64 − 0.1024
• Find R.I of core & clad of fiber having n22 = 42.53
R.I difference of 1.2X10-3 & N.A is
n2 = 6.52
0.32.
Given Δ=0.0005, N.A=0.32, n1=?, n2=?
N.A = 𝑁. 𝐴 = 𝑛1 2∆
0.32= 𝑛1 2X1.2X10−3
Numericals
• Find the loss specification of fiber of • The power launched into optical fiber is
length 500m , if the input power is 8.6 1.5 mW .The fiber has attenuation of
µW and output power is 7.5 µW. 0.5 dB/Km, if the power output is 2
Given Pi=8.6 µW, Pi=8.6 × 10 − 6 W µW, calculate the power length.
Po=7.5µW, Po=7.5× 10 − 6 W Given Pi=1.5mW, Pi=1.5× 10 − 3 W
L=500m, L=0.5 km Po=2µW, Po=2× 10 − 6 W
α=? α=0.5 dB/km
10 𝑃 L=?
α = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑖
𝐿 𝑃𝑜 10 𝑃𝑖
10 8.6 ×10−6 α = 𝑙𝑜𝑔
𝐿 𝑃𝑜
α = 𝑙𝑜𝑔
0.5 7.5×10 −6 10
L = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑖
𝑃
α =1.18 dB/Km α 𝑃𝑜
10 1.5×10−3
L = 𝑙𝑜𝑔
0.5 2×10 −6
L =57.50 km
Numericals
• A certain optical fiber has an • The attenuation of light in optical fiber
attenuation of 3.5 dB/Km.if 0.5 mW of is 2.2 dB/km.what fraction of initial
power is initially launched calculate the intensity will remain after 2km & 6km.
power level after 4 Km. Given α=2.2 dB/km
Given Pi=0.5mW, Pi=0.5 × 10 − 3 W L1=2 Km
α=3.5 dB/Km L2=6 Km
Po=? , L=4 km 10 𝑃 10 𝑃
α = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑖 2.2 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑖
10 𝑃 𝐿 𝑃𝑜 2 𝑃𝑜
α = 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑖 𝑃 𝑃𝑖
𝐿 𝑃𝑜 0.44 =𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑖 = 2.75
0.5 ×10− 3 𝑃𝑜 𝑃𝑜
3.5 =2.5𝑙𝑜𝑔10
Po
0.5 ×10−3 α =
10
𝑙𝑜𝑔
𝑃𝑖
2.2 =
10
𝑙𝑜𝑔
𝑃𝑖
Po=
25.11 𝐿 𝑃𝑜 6 𝑃𝑜
𝑃 𝑃𝑖
Po=1.99 × 10 − 5 𝑊 1.325 =𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑖 = 21.13
𝑃𝑜 𝑃𝑜
Numericals
• A communication system uses a 10 km • A step index fiber has a normalized
fiber having fiber loss 2.5 dB/Km. Find frequency V=26.6 at 1300 nm
input power if output power is wavelength.if the core radius is 25µm,
1.265µW. calculate numerical aperture.
Given Po= 1.265µW, Given V=26.6
Po=1.265 × 10 − 6 W, λ= 1300 nm
α=2.5 dB/Km a= 25µm
Pi=? , L=10 km N.A=?
10 𝑃 2π𝑎
α= 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑖 V= 𝑁. 𝐴
𝐿 𝑃𝑜 λ
Pi 𝑉λ
2.5 =𝑙𝑜𝑔10 N.A=
1.265 ×10−6 2π𝑎
Pi=316.22 × 1.265 × 10 − 6 26.6×1300×10−9
Po=4 × 10 − 4𝑊
N.A=
2π×25×10−6

N.A=0.22