光纤通信07 Optic Fiber Waveguides.ppt

Chapter 5Optic Fiber Waveguides Chapter 5Optic Fiber Waveguides We are now ready to address the major item in our communications systems, the optic fibers. Although only a few will ever design and fabricate their own fibers, you should have some idea of how it is accomplished. Proper choice and proper utilization require a deep understanding of fiber construction and fiber characteristics. With this in mind, we will study the major types of fibers and the properties of waves propagating through them. We will pay particular attention to attenuation, modes, and information capacity. Construction and design of fiber cables are also discussed. Fiber Structure Optical cable The question arises as to the need for the cladding at all. A core of glass surrounded by air satisfies the requirement n1n2, and would indeed guide a light wave. However, severe(严重的) problems arise when attempting to handle or support this type of structure. Any lossy material attached to the core for support will cause losses in the propagating wave. The freely suspended(悬挂) core could bend or be easily scratched(刮伤), causing additional losses. The cladding protects the core from contamination (污染物)and helps preserve its physical integrity（完整性）. Review of the step-index structure indicates that light can also be trapped by total internal reflection at the outer boundary of the cladding if the material surrounding the cladding has a lower refractive index than the cladding itself. Figure 5.3 illustrates the possible ray paths. In the example shown, the ray angle at the core –cladding interface is less than the critical angle, so some light is transmitted into the cladding. This light strikes the outer surface of the cladding beyond the critical angle for that boundary and totally reflects back toward the fiber axis. The light represented by this ray never leaves the fiber and is thus guided by it. This example illustrates the existence of cladding mode