Challenging the notion of equal modal power distribution in multimode optical fibers

Kim D. Bennett; L. M. Alexander; M. N. Marbell

doi:10.1117/12.472604

27 June 2002 Challenging the notion of equal modal power distribution in multimode optical fibers

Kim D. Bennett, L. M. Alexander, M. N. Marbell

Proceedings Volume 4694, Smart Structures and Materials 2002: Smart Sensor Technology and Measurement Systems; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.472604
Event: SPIE's 9th Annual International Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 2002, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In this paper we report both theoretical and experimental evidence that equal MPD is extremely unlikely in few mode fiber, and next to impossible to achieve in highly multimode fiber. In one approach, we simply add together the intensity distributions of the various possible modes for a given V number fiber, and compare with what is observed in the laboratory under a variety of conditions. This is done for the incoherent case using a one hundred meter length of a similar fiber. In another method, Gloge's theory for the number of propagating modes is used to determine the approximate MPD in a highly multimode fiber. Both techniques point to the conclusion that the most likely distribution of power among the modes is one that decreases exponentially with mode, despite various mode-scrambling efforts.

Citation Download Citation

Kim D. Bennett, L. M. Alexander, and M. N. Marbell "Challenging the notion of equal modal power distribution in multimode optical fibers", Proc. SPIE 4694, Smart Structures and Materials 2002: Smart Sensor Technology and Measurement Systems, (27 June 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.472604

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