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On the determination of the refractive index of a fibre. II. Graded index fibre

Article  in  Pure and Applied Optics Journal of the European Optical Society Part A · January 1999
DOI: 10.1088/0963-9659/4/3/004

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1995 Pure Appl. Opt. 4 161

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Pure Appl. Opt. 4 (1995) 161-177. Printed in the UK

On the determination of the refractive index of a fibre:

II. Graded index fibre
A A Hamzat, T Z N Sokkart, A M Ghanderf, M A Mabroukf
and W A Ramadant
'IPhysics Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
t Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Damietta, Egypt

Received 6 October 1994, in h a l form 22 December 1994

Abstract. Two- and multiple-beam interference fringes are used to measure the refractive
index of graded index fibres. A general expression considering the refraction of the beam
by the graded index fibre has been derived. from which expressions for homogeneous and
skin-core fibres can be obtained. Comparison between the results with the method used
when neglecting refraction is dealt with using Philips, LDF (TM)optical fibres and drawn
polypropylene. Considering the derived expressions in the refractive index determination
gives a correction even when a matching liquid is used, this suggests that the refraction
method should be used especially for graded index fibre.

1. Introduction

Light transmission properties of optical fibres depends mainly on the refractive

index profile and material dispersion [l-21. Two- and multiple-beam interferometric
methods were applied to determine the optical properties of natural and synthetic fibres
[3-71. Moreover, they are used to measure the refractive indices and birefringence of
the textile fibres, which can be used to investigate some structural parameters of these
fibres [S-111.
Optical fibres contain cladding and core, the cladding refractive index (in general)
is constant, while the core refractive index may be constant (step-index fibre) or graded
index (GR-IN). Hams [I21 considered that the cross section of the GR-IN cylindrical fibre
can be divided into circular zones. He considered that the number of zones is Q, the
Qth zone having refractive index n,. As the number of zones increases, the thickness
of each layer (zone) will be thinner, and hence one can consider that its refractive index
is constant [7].
The two-beam interference method produced by the Pluta interference microscope
and multiple-beam Fizeau interference method are reviewed elsewhere [13]. The Pluta
microscope is a double refracting interference microscope with variable amounts and
direction of wavefront shear; the microscope gives either uniform or fringe interference
field with continuously variable amounts and direction of lateral image duplication
[14- 151.
Multiple-beam Fizeau fringes in which the fibre is introduced in a silvered liquid
wedge are used to form the interferometer. The interferometer consists of two optical

0963-9659/95/030161 t 17 $19.50 0 1995 IOP Publishing Ltd 161

162 A A Hamza et a1

flats coated from the inner surfaces with a silver layer [S, 7, 131. The shift caused by
the fibre when the light crosses it, is used in both two- and multiple-beam interference
to get the refractive index profile of the fibre.
Refraction of the incident beam by the fibre when crossing it causes the emerging
wavefront to be distorted. If the immersion liquid has a refractive index equal to that
of the fibre, the incident wavefront will cross the fibre without refraction, i.e. the emerging
wavefront will not be distorted. Hamza et al [16] derived a mathematical expression
for a homogeneous fibre, to measure its refractive index profile considering the refraction
of the incident beam by the fibre. They extended this expression for a skin core fibre
[17]. They studied the effect of refraction by the fibre on the measured profiles, and
compared the results with that when neglecting it.
El-Hennawi [18] and Hamza [I61 discuss the refraction of the beam by the fibre,
but they neglect a small part of the optical path length, this part is considered
for skin-core fibre [17] and in this work, which increases the accuracy of the
results.
In this work, a mathematical expression for the refractive index profile of graded
index fibres has been derived, taking into consideration the refraction of the incident
beam by the multi-layer fibre. These expressions are a general case for multi-layer fibre
(graded index fibre), from which mathematical equations for homogeneous and
skin-core fibres can be obtained if we put the number of layers equal to 1 and 2,
respectively. Two- and multiple-beam interference are applied, using the refraction
method on a graded index optical fibre to measure the refractive index profile. A
comparison between the results with the method neglecting refraction has been made.

2. Theory

When a fibre is immersed in a matching liquid of refractive index n,, and when the
fibre refractive index is n, the incident beam sulTers shift when crossing the fibre. Suppose
that the fringe shift is Z, the interfringe spacing is h and the plane polarized
monochromatic light used is of wavelength A. The relation governing these parameters
can be given by:

-AZ_ - ne - n,/'
h
where G is the path length inside the fibre and t' is the path of the ray if it passes in
the liquid only.
In the case of fibre having a graded index profile, we considered that the graded
index fibre consists of very thin layers, each of them of constant refractive index, so we
can say that the graded index fibre is a multi-layer fibre of Q layers of equal thickness
(a = R/Q where R is the fibre radius), the larger Q is the thinner the layer a, and
hence this is a good representation for the graded index case.
Considering a multi-layer fibre of Q layers each of them has a refractive index n(i),
where i is the layer number, when the beam is incident at distance d, from the fibre
centre, we have to note that the number of layers crossed by the beam will depend
mainly on the value of d,.
We are going to handle the problem caused by the refraction of the beam at different
layers inside the fibre in the cases of two- and multiple-beam interference.
 Refractive index of graded index fibre 163

2.1, Repactive index profile for two-beam interferometry

2.1 . I . Calculntion of the refractive index of the first layer. Since we considered that for
each layer the refractive index is constant, we will choose the value of d, to satisfy the
closest approach of the ray to the centre of the fibre equal to ( R - a/2). In this case,
the beam will only pass through one layer, and equation (1) can be given by:

where Z,?)is the fringe shift at the chosen d, and n, is the first layer refractive index.
Considenng that n , > nL, the beam will be refracted as shown in figure l ( a ) . Suppose
that the incidence angle is Bo, and the angle of refraction is eo, so, from the geometry
of figure I(a) we can get

and

where no = nL, the refractive index of the liquid used. We consider that the beam is
incident at distance d, and emerges at distance x from the fibre centre, so:
z,= Y(Xl)
and
x , = R sin 8,
p, = 2ao -e,.
The path length e,, is given by
e,,=2Rcosao
and
P = R(COS00 + COS PI)
so that
e'=-+-.
Substituting the values of Z,, x i , e,,, and P From equations (S), (6), (7) and (Sa),
respectively, in equation (2) we get:

,
I
- 2, = 2n,R cos a, - noR cos 0, - noR cos
h
a, Pa)

which represents the case of homogeneous fibre (Q = 1).

Substituting by the values of the cosines using equations (3), (4) and (6) in equation
(9a) we obtain the following equation:

In the case of neglecting the refraction, no/nl E 1, d, = x , , therefore the last equation
164 A A Hamza et a1

will take the form:

2.1 2. The refractive index calculationsfor the second layer. In the case of using the value
of d, as shown in figure l(b), the beam passes through the first and second layers only.
Equation (2) will become:
2.2,
- - - n,e,, + n,t,, - nor' (loa)
h
where
?(R - a) sin (6' - a,)
e12 =
sin uo
where 0, is the incidence angle in the second layer, a , is the angle of refraction at the
second layer. Also t" is given by
= R(COS e, + COS 8,) = Jm+
and
el =sin-'
[ ad

Again
2 2 = Y(X,)
and
X, = R sin (8,)
Pz = 2(a0 + a,) - 20, - 8,.
Now, the path length P,, in the second layer is given by:
e,, = 2(R - a) cos a1
then equation (loa) will take the form
,
I sin(0, - U,)
- Y(x,) = 2n1(R - a ) + 2n,(R - a) cos a1 - n,RCcos Bo + cos &I
h
(16a)
which is the case of a fibre having skin-core structure (Q = 2), one can prove that:

2.1.3. Calculations ofthe refiactiue index ofthe third layer. Again, if d, which is shown
in figure l(c) is considered, the beam passes through the first three layers only,
 RefYactiue index of graded index fibre I65

equation (1) can be rewritten to be:

l.Z,
-= n , f , ,
I1
+ n2L2, + it,!,, - not‘ (17a)

where e,, is the path length of the beam through the parts of the first layer as shown
in figure l(c)), and given by:
2(R - a) sin(6, - ao)
L,, =
sin a.
It is important to note that, 6, in case of three layers is different from 8, in case of
two layers, according to the value of d,. The values of e,, and e,, are the path lengths
of the beam in the parts of second and third layers, respectively, where
2(R - 2 4 sin(8, - a,)
e23 =
sin a,
and
L,, = 2(R - 2a) cos a,

it is easy to prove that

t‘ = R(cos Bo + COS p3)
p3 = 2(n0 + a, + a2) - 2(8, + 6,) - Bo

x3 = R sin(&)
Substituting by t‘:e,,, L2, and e,, in equation (17a) we get:
A sin(@,- ao) sin@, - a,)
- Y(x,) = 2n,(R - a )
k
+ 2n,(R - 2a) cos a2 - noR[cos Bo + cos pJ. (19a)
Substituting the values of the sines and cosines from equations (3), (4), (lla), (llb) and
(l8c) in equation (19a) we get:

-_ - 2n,[JR2 - (d3no/nl)’ - J ( R - a)’ - (d3no/nl)’]

k
+ 2n2[J(R - a)’ - (d3nofnz)2- J ( R - 24’ - (d3no/n2)2
+ 2n,J(R - 2a)’ - (d3no/n3)2- no[- + J-1. (19b)

2.1.4. For a multi-layer fibre. From equations (9a), (16a) and (19a) one can get the
following recurrence relation, which relates the shift corresponding to the value of d,,
____

166 A A Harnza et a1
I
:
I
n.
.
AB-CD'42
BC = l,,
A E = 1'
AB I l,,
EFad
AC =1' FD= I
BD i X
DC;d

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of a GR-W multi-layer cylindrical fibre cross section, a beam
passes through (U) one layer, (b) two layers; and (c) three layers. The fibre is examined
using a two-beam interference microscope.

the fibre refractive indices, and the angles of refraction and incidence at each layer. As
mentioned before, the value of dQ in fact depends on Q, i.e. d, must be chosen to satisfy
the condition that the beam passes through the half width of the Qth layer as shown
in figures l(a), l(b) and l(c), hence:
.'--
"h - Q-
j=i
I
2nj(R - j a )
sin(ej - aJ- J
t ZnQ(R - (Q - 1)a) cos SLQ-

- noR[cos 8, t cos b,] (20)

where 0, is the incidence angle for the j t h layer. It can be given using equations (3),
( l l a ) and (18c):

e.A Q =sin-l[
nj(R - ja)
]
also E, is the angle of refraction at the j t h layer given from equations (4), (Ilb) and
(18c) as follows:

= sin-' [nj+,"t~- juJ

0, and a j are rewritten ej,, and aj,Q,respectively, because of their dependence on Q via
d,. The value of dQ which satisfies the condition that the beam passes through the
 Refractive index of graded index fibre 167

(4
Figure 1. (continued.)

middle of the Qth layer, is given by:

The recurrence relation of the angle is:

Q-1
pp = 2 j = O (Ej - e,) + e,.
Using equations (9b), (16b) and (19b), the following recurrence relation can be
obtained
Q- 1
= 2n,[d’(R - (j- 1)a)’ - (dnn0/nj)’ - ,/(R - ju)’ - (dQn,,/nj)2]
h j=i

+ h Q J ( R - (Q - 1)a)’ - (dQfto/nQ)2- i l o [ J m - +4
1- (25)
where xQ = R sin(&).
Using equation (25) or (20), one can calculate the refractive index profile of a fibre
168 A A Hamza et a1

having Q layers, using the iteration method for Sj,uj, d , and nj+ taking into account
the refraction of the light beam on each layer. If we neglect the erect of refraction, i.e.
no/nj L 1, nj/nQ E 1, no/nQ N 1 and d, = xQ, then equation (25) becomes:
Q Q-1
_ -
-IzQ 2njv”(R - ( j - 1)a)’ - d t - C 2 n i d R - ja)2 - d & (26)
h j=1 i=o
When j = Q in the second summation of equation (26), the last term of the summation
is always zero (a = R/Q and dQ = 0), so we can write:
Q-1 Q
1 2nj,/(R -j a ) 2 - d z = 2 i ~ ~ - , ~ ’-
( R( j - 1)a)’ - d ; .
j=0 j= 1

Substituting in equation (26) we have:

Equation (27) was previously derived by Hamza et al [7], when they calculated the
profile of the fibre without taking the refraction into consideration.

2.2. Refractive index profile f o r multiple-beam interferometry

When the fibre is immersed in a liquid to form a silvered wedge interferometer of the
Fizeau type, an expression for the multiple-beam interference fringe shift, similar to that
given in the above discussion can be obtained. When a cylindrical fibre having Q layers
is introduced in a silvered liquid wedge [7], the optical path length (OPL) of the ray
which passes through Q layers is given as follows (see figure ?(a)):
OPL = ( t - eb)iiL+ tl.Qnl + e2z.Qn2+ . . . + eQ-l,QnQ- + eQ,QnQ.(28)
For a fringe of interference order N,
N.4
- = nLt - dQnL+ Ll,Qnl + e2,,n2 + . . . + EQ-,.QnQ-l + eQ,QnQ (29)
7‘.
where t is the wedge gap thickness; f = Z tan E, E being the wedge angle as shown in
figure (2b), then:

= t l , Q n l+!z,Qn, + ’. + PQ-l,QnQ- + eQ,QnQ- dQnL

n L t a n 2nL ~ -E2 ] = t l , Q n l + e 2 . Q n 2 + ’ . . +eQ-l,QnQ-l
E [tan

+ eQ,,nQ - bQn,
where nL is the refractive index of the immersion liquid used. The RHS terms are the
same as in the two-beam interference fringe, now transforming the origin to the point
[0, N?./2nL tan E ] on the X - 2 plane, therefore the LHS is given by:
LHS = (nL tan &)E
zis the value of Z after transforming the origin, the wedge angle E is related to the
Refracti1.e index of graded index fibre 169

(b)

Figure 2. Schematic diagram of a CR-IN multi-layer cylindrical fibre cross section. (a) A
beam passes through three layers. The fringe shiR caused when the beam traverses the fibre
is also shown. (b) Represents the wedge interferometer, in which the wedge angle E, gap
thickness t and the examined fibre are shown.
170 A A Hamza et a1

interfringe spacing h, by

A
tan E = -
2n,h
from equations (lob), (1%) and (17c) we can get the parts of the OPL through thejth
layer:

e.J. Q 2(R -j a ) sin@, -

sin(a,- 1)
One can use equations (7), (15) and (l8a) to get the path through the Qth layer as
rouows:
= 2(R - (Q- 1)a) cos(aa- 1) (32)
and
f b = R(COSe,, + COS pQ). (33)
tQa.Q
Substituting the values of the LHS,L@,,~, and from equations (30b), (31), (32) and
(33), respectively, in equation (30a) one can prove that:
- Q-1
-- - 2nj[J’(R - ( j - 1)a)’ - (dQn0/nj)’ - ,/(R -.fa)’ - (dQno/nj)’l
2h j=i

+ 2nQ,/(R - (Q - l)a)2 - (dQn0/nQ)’- no[- + -1. (34)

This equation gives the shape of multiple-beam Fizeau fringes, when taking into
consideration the refraction of the transverse beam by the fibre in the X-2 plane (see
figure 2).

3. Experimental results and discussion

Different types of fibres are used to study the effect of refraction through the fibre layers.
Philips and low-loss LDF (TM) optical fibres which are CR-INmulti-mode samples are
used. Also drawn polypropylene (textile fibre) with draw ratio 5.2, having a circular
cross sectional shape is used.

3.1. Philips optical fibre

The experimental technique of multiple-beam Fizeau fringes is used. Figure 3(a) shows
a microinterferogram of multiple-beam Fizeau fingers in transmission, when using plane
polarized monochromatic light of wavelength 546.1 nm. The immersion liquid used has
a refractive index nL = 1.4635, which is near to the fibre clad refractive index. The
differencebetween clad and liquid refractive indices is nearly 0,0008, which is so small
that the beam traverses the liquid to the fibre with angles of incidence and refraction
nearly equal, and this explains why in the clad region (26-65 pm), the pro6les calculated
considering the refraction model and neglecting it are coincident as shown in figure
3(b). In the core region (0-26 pm), the difference between the clad and the core refractive
 Refractive index of graded index fibre 171

Figure 3. (a) Multiple-beam microinterfcrogram of the Fizeau type, in transmission ai a

Philips GR-IN optical fibre, the wavelength used 1 = 546.1 nm and nL = 1.4635. (b) The
calculated refractive index profiles using the refraction method and when neglecting it.

indices is considerable, hence the difference between the measured refractive indices at
any point is detectable (see figure 3(b)).
Figure 4(a) shows the same as in figure 3(a), but the liquid used had a refractive index
nL = 1.4665, which is greater than the fibre’s clad refractive index, the difference is in
this case ~ 0 . 0 0 2 5 which
, produces a noticeable difference in the measured refractive
indices in the clad and core regions as shown in figure 4(b).

3.2. LDF ( T M ) multi-mode opticaljbre

The refractive index profiles of LDF (TM) multi-mode optical fibre are measured as in
172 A A Hamza et a1

Figure 4. The same as figure 3, but using nL = 1.4665.

the case of Philips fibres using two models, first, when considering the refraction of the
incident beam by the fibre. Second, the case when neglecting the refraction effect.
Figures 5(a) and 6(a) show the microinterferograms of multiple-heam Fizeau fringes
when using the same light used in figures 3 and 4. Figures S(b) and 6(h) show the
refractive index profiles using the corresponding interferograms.
The refractive index of immersion liquid used to get the interferograms shown in
figure 5(a), is near to the clad one. nL = 1.4660 where nL < nclad.The calculated refractive
index profiles are shown in figure 5(b), while in figure 6(a) nL = 1.4700 which is greater
than the clad refractive index, figure 6(b) shows the refractive index profiles in this case.
One can notice that a change in the shape of the profiles can take place if nL is sufficiently
greater (or smaller) than nclad.
 Refractive index of graded index fibre 173

I
Figure 5. (a) Microinterferogram of multiple-beam Fizeau fringes fdr LDF (TM) multi-
mode optical fibre, the monochromatic light used was of wavelengt 1 = 546.1 pm, and
nL = 1.4660. ( b ) The measured refractive index profile using refracti n model and when
neglecting it.

A comparable accuracy ofthc model considering refraction of the am by the fibre,

and the model neglecting it, will he reported later.

3.3. Polypropylene fibre (polymer fibre)

A drawn polypropylene fibre with draw ratio 5.2 is uscd Lo show the 'effect of using nL
very much smaller (or greater) than the fibre refractive index. Figure 7 ( a ) shows a
174 A A Hamza et a1

Figure 6. The same as figure 5, but using n, = 1.4700.

two-beam interference pattern which is a duplicated image produced using a Pluta

interference microscope. The measured profiles shown in figure 7(b) were calculated
using the interference fringe shift, and light vibrating parallel to the fibre axis (upper
shift), the wavelength used is 546nm. The maximum fringe shift is nearly half the
interfringe spacing h (see figure 7(a)), nL = 1.524 which is a bit smaller than the fibre
refractive index. Figure 7(b) shows the refractive index profiles using both models and
the interferogram shown in figure 7(a). The two curves are the same because the liquid
and fibre refractive indices are nearly equal.
 Refractive index of graded index fibre 175

Figure 7. ( U ) Totally duplicated image using the Pluta interference microscope, for drawn
polypropylene fibre using monochromatic light of wavelength 2. = 546 nm and nL = 1.524,
perpendicular direction. (h) The measured refractive index profiles using refraction model
and when neglecting it.

The duplicated image shown in figure 8(a) was produced using nL = 1.493, and
light vibrating parallel to the fibre axis (upper fringe shift). The used nL inr (fibre
refractive index) and the difference n, - nL 4 0.038 which is so large that the fibre fringe
shift is three times h (the interfringe spacing). Figure 8(b) shows the refractive index
profiles in this case; as the difference (n,- nL) increases the deivation from the fibre
refractive index increases, but the refraction model is the most reasonable measurement.
I76 A A Hamza et at

Figure 8. As in figure 7. but using nL = 1.4930.

Referring to figures 3(b), , 4(b), 5(b), 6(b), 7(b) and 8(h), one can easily notice that
the refractive index near the fibre centre (at R = 0 pm) is nearly equal using the two
models, because the angles of incidence and refraction are nearly zero (normal
incidence), whatever the value of the immersion liquid used; this is a very important
result especially if the nL used is much smaller or greater than the fibre refractive index
as shown in figure X(b).
 Refractive index of graded index fibre 177

4. Conclusion

Theoretical expressions have been derived considering the distorted wavefront due to
beam passage in a graded index (GR-IN) fibre (equations (20) and (25)). Equation (27)
represents the non-distorted emergent wavefront, which is obtained by neglecting the
refraction effect from equation (25). Equation (27) is similar to that derived by Hamza
et al [ 7 ] ,Two- and multiple-beam interference are used to study the effect of refraction
in GR-IN fibre, even if the fibre is not graded index; the profile will depend on the shift
caused by the fibre when the beam crosses it (see polypropylene sample).
A comparison between the results in case of considering the refraction and neglecting
it shows that:
(1) Both methods give the same results when a matching immersion liquid is used
(angle of refraction and incidence are equal), and at the fibre centre where incident and
refraction angles are nearly zero (see figure 7(b)).
(2) When the refractive index difference at any interface is large, the refraction
method is preferred to minimize the error in the measured refractive index a t this point.
(3) When the immersion liquid refractive index is greater than the fibre’s one (or
smaller), not only the value of the measured profile but also its shape will be affected
(see figures 5(b), 6(b), 7(b) and 8(b)).
The derived general expressions-when considering the refraction method-are
recommended to measure the refractive index profile, even when a matching liquid is
used, that is because the clad-core interface has a relatively large refractive index
difference.

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