Mode

Coupling,
Geometrical-
Optics
Description,
and Fiber
Modes
Mode Coupling, Geometrical-Optics
Eyob Mersha Description, and Fiber Modes
(M.Sc.)

Outline

Mode Eyob Mersha (M.Sc.)

coupling

Geometrical-
Optics Haramaya University
Description
Step-index fiber Haramaya Institute of Technology
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise June 17, 2020

 Outline

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- Mode Coupling
Optics
Description,
and Fiber Geometrical-Optics Description
Modes
Step-index (SI) fiber
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.) 1 Step-index Single-mode fiber
2 Step-index multimode fiber
Outline
Graded-index (GI) fiber
Mode
coupling
Fiber Modes
Geometrical-
Optics 1 Single-mode (SM) fibers
Description
Step-index fiber 2 Multimode(MM) fibers
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Design Parameters
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise Modal Noise

 Mode coupling

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- Under ideal conditions (perfect fiber) light traveling in
Optics
Description, one mode on a fiber cannot excite (transfer power to)
and Fiber
Modes
any other mode on the same fiber.
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
That is, each bound (or normal) mode of the fiber is or-
thogonal to each other bound mode.
Outline
However, when there are irregularities in the fiber light
Mode
coupling can couple (power can transfer) from one mode to an-
Geometrical- other.
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Thus individual modes do not normally propagate through-
Graded-index fiber
out the length of the fiber without large energy transfers
Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
to adjacent modes
Multi-Mode Fibers
- even when the fiber is exceptionally good quality &
Modal Noise
have no irregularities
 Mode coupling

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- This mode conversion is known as mode coupling or
Optics
Description, mixing.
and Fiber
Modes Usually analyzed using coupled mode equations which
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
can be obtained directly from MaxwellâĂŹs equations
Causes for mode coupling are:
Outline
Connector Misalignment
Mode
coupling Material Inconsistencies at a Join or Connector
Geometrical-
Fibre Geometry Irregularities
Optics Bends and Microbends
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Mode coupling

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
v Connector Misalignment
Optics
Description, When a connector is badly aligned (or not perfectly aligned)
and Fiber
Modes
some modes will leave the fibre altogether and be lost.
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
Other modes may transfer some or all of their power into
different modes. Power will be lost from some modes
Outline
and transferred to other bound modes.
Mode
coupling However, the effects of misaligned connectors cannot be
Geometrical- described adequately by the ray model.
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
It is the most severe cause of mode coupling
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Mode coupling

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
Optics
Description,
and Fiber
Modes
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)

Outline

Mode
coupling

Geometrical-
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Mode coupling

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
v Material Inconsistencies at a Join or Connector
Optics
Description, caused by differences in the RIs of the two fibres at cor-
and Fiber
Modes
responding points on the interface.
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
It is the case where the two fibres are of different speci-
fication.
Outline
However, it can come about even when fibres are of
Mode
coupling identical specification but were drawn from different pre-
Geometrical- forms.
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
It may occour even when two fibres are joined in a ”per-
Graded-index fiber
fect” fusion splice or with a ”perfect” connector.
Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Mode coupling

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
v Material Irregularities
Optics
Description, These might be the presence of impurities or just varia-
and Fiber
Modes
tions in density of the glass in the fibre.
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
v Fibre Geometry Irregularities
This includes
Outline
Changes in concentricity of the fibre,
Mode
coupling variations in circularity or thickness (diameter) of the fi-
Geometrical-
bre,
Optics local variations in the refractive index of the glass etc.
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber
One of the major causes of mode coupling is the pres-
Fiber Modes ence of imperfections at the core-cladding interface
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Mode coupling

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
v Bends and Microbends
Optics
Description, Bends in the fibre (especially bends that are very tight)
and Fiber
Modes
can cause some modes to be lost (mode stripping) and
Eyob Mersha others to couple power into different modes.
(M.Sc.)
Microbends are bends caused by putting fibre into di-
Outline
rect contact with a rough surface of some kind and per-
Mode
coupling haps putting pressure onto it.
Geometrical- ”Microbends” cause the fibre to lose power and also to
Optics
Description couple power between modes.
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber
Mode coupling is one effect that reduces dispersion!
Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Mode coupling

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- If you have a lot of modes traveling at different group
Optics
Description, velocities then some will arrive ahead of others.
and Fiber
Modes If however there is a lot of random swapping between
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
modes some slower modes will swap to faster ones and
vice-versa etc. This is a statistical effect.
Outline
If there is a lot of mode coupling along the path the sig-
Mode
coupling nal will tend to arrive with less dispersion than if there
Geometrical- was no such coupling.
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
With a coherent source (such as a laser) mode coupling
Graded-index fiber
can be a source of modal noise.
Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers ”Mode scrambling” is a term that describe intentional
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
mode coupling at a particular point in the system.
 Geometrical-Optics Description

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- In its simplest form an optical fiber consists of a cylindri-
Optics
Description, cal core of silica glass surrounded by a cladding whose
and Fiber
Modes
refractive index is lower than that of the core.
Eyob Mersha Based on the refractive index profile of the core and
(M.Sc.)
cladding, the optical fibers are classified into two types:
Outline Step index fiber
Mode Graded index fiber
coupling

Geometrical-
Step-index fibers (SI) are fibers in which the index change
Optics
Description
at the core-cladding interface is abrupt.
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber Graded-index fiber (GI) is a fiber which have a gradual
Fiber Modes index change at the core-cladding interface.
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Geometrical-Optics Description

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
Optics
Description,
and Fiber
Modes
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)

Outline

Mode
coupling

Geometrical-
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Step-index (SI) fiber

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- The RI changes in a step fashion, from the centre of the
Optics
Description, fiber, the core, to the outer shell, the cladding.
and Fiber
Modes It is high in the core and lower in the cladding. The light
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
in the fiber propagates by TIR.
The SI fibers propagate both single and multimode sig-
Outline
nals within the fiber core.
Mode
coupling
The light rays propagating through it are in the form of
Geometrical-
Optics meridinal rays which will cross the fiber core axis during
Description
Step-index fiber
every reflection at the core-cladding boundary and are
Graded-index fiber
propagating in a zig-zag manner.
Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Step-index fiber

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
Light beams are confined in the step index fiber
Optics
Description,
by total reflection at the core-cladding interface in step-
and Fiber index fibers
Modes
by more gradual refraction in graded index fibers
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
With careful choice of material, dimensions and λ the
Outline total dispersion can be made extremely small, less than
Mode 0.1 ps /(km x nm), making this fiber suitable for use with
coupling
high data rates.
Geometrical-
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Step-index single mode fiber

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- In a SM fiber, a part of the light propagates in the cladding.
Optics
Description, The cladding is thick and has low loss.
and Fiber
Modes for a core diameter of 10 µm, the cladding diameter is
Eyob Mersha about 120 µm.
(M.Sc.)
Handling and manufacturing of single mode SI fiber is
Outline
more difficult.
Mode
coupling Single-mode / monomode SI fiber allows the propaga-
Geometrical-
Optics
tion of only one transverse electromagnetic mode, and
Description the core diameter must be of the order of 2 to 10µm.
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber
The single-mode SI fiber has the distinct advantage of
Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
low intermodal dispersion (broadening of transmitted light
Multi-Mode Fibers
pulses), as only one mode is transmitted,
Modal Noise
 Step-index single mode fiber

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
Whereas with multimode SI fiber considerable disper-
Optics
Description,
sion may occur due to the differing group velocities of
and Fiber the propagating modes.
Modes
Eyob Mersha
This in turn restricts the maximum BW attainable with
(M.Sc.) multimode SI fibers, especially when compared with SM
Outline fibers.
Mode
coupling

Geometrical-
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Step-index multimode fiber

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
v Step index multimode fibers
Optics
Description, a core of constant refractive index n1 and a cladding of a
and Fiber
Modes
slightly lower refractive index n2 is known as step index
Eyob Mersha fiber.
(M.Sc.)
In such fibers light propagates in many modes.
Outline
The total number of modes M increases with increase in
Mode
coupling the numerical aperture.
Geometrical-
Optics Multimode SI fibers allow the propagation of a finite num-
Description
Step-index fiber
ber of guided modes along the channel.
Graded-index fiber
The number of guided modes is dependent upon the
Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers physical parameters (i.e. ∆, core radius of the fiber and
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
λ)
 Step-index multimode fiber

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
v For a larger number of modes, M can be approximated by
Optics
Description,
√
and Fiber v2 dn1 2∆
Modes M= = 4.9[ ] (1)
Eyob Mersha
2 λ
(M.Sc.)
where d = diameter of the core of the fiber and V = V-
Outline number or normalized frequency.
Mode
coupling

Geometrical-
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Step-index multimode fiber

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- The normalized frequency V is a relation among the fiber
Optics
Description, size, the refractive indices and the wavelength.
and Fiber
Modes V is the normalized frequency or simply the V number
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
and is given by

2πa 2πa
]xn1 (2λ)1/2
Outline
V =[ ]xNA = [ (2)
Mode λ λ
coupling

Geometrical- where
Optics
Description a is the fiber core radius,
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber λ is the operating wavelength,
Fiber Modes n1 the core refractive index and
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers
∆ the relative refractive index difference
Modal Noise ,
 Step-index fibers

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
Optics
Description,
and Fiber
Modes
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)

Outline

Mode
coupling

Geometrical-
Optics
Description
Multi-mode SI fiber: core dia. ∼ 50 or 62.5 or 100 µm;
Step-index fiber cladding dia. ∼ 125 µm
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-mode SI fiber: core dia. ∼ 8 - 9 µm; cladding dia.
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers
∼ 125 µm
Modal Noise
Both fiber types can have the same numerical aperture
(NA) because NA is independent of the fiber core diam-
eter
 Step-index fibers

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
-Example: A multimode step-index fiber with a core
Optics diameter of 80 µm and a relative index difference of 1.5 % is
Description,
and Fiber operating at a wavelength of 0.85 µm. If the core refractive
Modes
Eyob Mersha
index is 1.48, estimate
(M.Sc.)
(a) the normalized frequency for the fiber; .
Outline
(b) the number of guided modes
Mode
coupling

Geometrical-
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Graded-index fiber

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- The refractive index(RI) n in the core varies as we move
Optics
Description, away from the centre.
and Fiber
Modes The RI of the core is made to vary in the form of parabolic
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
manner such that the maximum refractive index is present
at the centre of the core.
Outline
The RI (n) profile with reference to the radial distance (r)
Mode
coupling from the fiber axis is given as:
Geometrical-
Optics when
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber r = 0, n(r ) = n1 (3)
Fiber Modes r
Single-Mode Fibers
r < a, n(r ) = n1 [1 − (2∆[ ]2 )]1/2 (4)
Multi-Mode Fibers
a
Modal Noise
r > a, n(r ) = n2 = n1 (1 − 2∆)1/2 (5)
 Graded-index fiber

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
Optics
Description,
and Fiber
Modes
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)

Outline

Mode
coupling

Geometrical-
Optics Figure: The refractive index profile and ray transmission in a
Description
Step-index fiber multimode graded index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
The light rays will be propagated in the form skew rays
Multi-Mode Fibers
(or) in a helical(spiral) manner without crossing the fiber
Modal Noise
axis.
The effective acceptance angle of the GI fiber is some-
what less than that of an equivalent SI fiber.
 Graded-index fiber

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- This makes coupling fiber to the light source more diffi-
Optics
Description, cult.
and Fiber
Modes Hence, multimode GI fibers with parabolic or near-parabolic
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
index profile cores have transmission BWs which may
be orders of magnitude greater than multimode SI fiber
Outline
BWs.
Mode
coupling The parameters defined for SI fibers (i.e. NA, D, V) may
Geometrical- be applied to GI fibers and give a comparison between
Optics
Description the two fiber types
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Fiber Modes

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- Mode is the one which describes the nature of propaga-
Optics
Description, tion of EMW in a wave guide.
and Fiber
Modes
i.e. it is the allowed direction whose associated
Eyob Mersha angles satisfy the conditions for TIR and constructive in-
(M.Sc.)
terference.
Outline

Mode Based on the number of modes that propagates through

coupling
the optical fiber, they are classified as:
Geometrical-
Optics I Single mode fibers (SMF)
Description
Step-index fiber
II Multi mode fibers (MMF)
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers Thus fiber can be designed to support
Multi-Mode Fibers
just a single propagation mode à (SMF)
Modal Noise
several propagation modes à (MMF)
 Single-Mode Fibers

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
Optics
Description,
and Fiber
Modes
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)

Outline

Mode
coupling

Geometrical-
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Single-Mode Fibers

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- If only one mode is transmitted through a fiber, then it is
Optics
Description, said to be a single- mode (SM) fiber.
and Fiber
Modes A typical SMfiber may have a core radius of 3 µm and a
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
NA of 0.1 at a wavelength of 0.8 µm.

Outline

Mode
coupling

Geometrical-
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise

SMF support only the HEn mode, also known as the

fundamental mode of the fiber.
 Single-Mode Fibers

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- Designed such that all higher-order modes are cut off at
Optics
Description, the operating wavelength.
and Fiber
Modes The fundamental mode has no cutoff and is always sup-
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
ported by a fiber.
SMFs is mostly important for long-haul use (carrier and
Outline
Internet core).
Mode
coupling
The condition for the single mode operation is given by
Geometrical-
Optics the V number of the fiber which is defined as such that
Description
Step-index fiber
V 6 2.405.
Graded-index fiber
Small core (8 to 10 microns) that forces the light to follow
Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers a linear single path down its length.
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Single-Mode Fibers

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- Lasers are the usual light source.
Optics
Description, Most expensive and delicate to handle,
and Fiber
Modes Fabrication is difficult and costly
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.) Highest bandwidths (GHz) and distance ratings (more
Outline
than 100 km).
Mode Aalmost eliminates delay spread
coupling

Geometrical-
More difficult to splice and to exactly align two fibers to-
Optics
Description
gether
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber Suitable for transmitting modulated signals at 40 Gbit/s
Fiber Modes or higher and up to 200 km without amplification
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Multi-Mode Fibers

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
If more than one mode is transmitted through optical
Optics
Description,
fiber, then it is said to be a multimode(MM) fiber.
and Fiber
Modes
The larger core radii of multimode fibers make it easier
Eyob Mersha to launch optical power into the fiber and facilitate the
(M.Sc.)
end to end connection of similar powers.
Outline

Mode vStep-index multimode cable has an abrupt change be-

coupling
tween core and cladding. It is limited to about 50 Mbits/sec
Geometrical-
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Multi-Mode Fibers

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
vGraded-index multimode cables has a gradual change
Optics between core and cladding. It is limited to 1 Gbit/sec.
Description,
and Fiber
Modes
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)

Outline

Mode
coupling

Geometrical-
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers
vSome of the basic properties of multimode optical fibers
Modal Noise
are listed below :
Relatively large diameter core (50 to 100 microns)
Small delay spread
 Multi-Mode Fibers

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- 1% index difference between core and cladding amounts
Optics
Description, to 1-5 ns/km delay spread
and Fiber
Modes Easy to splice and to couple light into it
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.) More than one path is available
Outline
V-number is greater than 2.405
Mode Bit rate limited up to 100 Mbit/s for lengths up to 40 km
coupling

Geometrical-
Fiber span without amplification is limited
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Design Parameters

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
vNumerical Aperture (NA):
Optics
Description,
and Fiber NA = sinθa = [(n1 )2 − (n2 )2 ]1/2 (6)
Modes
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.) 0.12-0.20 for SMF, 0.15-0.25 for MMF
Outline vRelative Refractive Index Difference (∆):
Mode
coupling
∆ = (n1 − n2 )/n; n- the average refractive index
Geometrical- <0.4% for SMF, >1% for MMF
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber
vNormalized Frequency or V-Number:
Fiber Modes
V = [(2πa)/λ] NA
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers
V 6 2.405 for SMF; V > 10 for MMF
Modal Noise
 Modal Noise

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- Perhaps it is the major problem encountered when using
Optics
Description, lasers with multimode fibre.
and Fiber
Modes It is a distortion of the signal caused by the channel (the
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
fibre and connectors) itself interacting with the signal in
such a way as to produce ”random” fluctuations in signal
Outline
power at the receiver.
Mode
coupling Have serious effects for the signal-to-noise performance
Geometrical- of the communication link.
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Almost exclusively confined to the use of high quality
Graded-index fiber
(narrow linewidth, coherent, stable) laser sources on mul-
Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
timode fibre.
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
Its effect is most pronounced when the conditions that
create it arise close to the transmitter (within metres or
so).
 Modal Noise

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical- Its effect is felt on links of any length but modal noise
Optics
Description, is rarely created further than 100 metres from the trans-
and Fiber
Modes
mitter.
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
Modal Noise comes from the signal itself so it only hap-
pens when there is a signal ( ”1” state).
Outline
There is no modal noise in the ”0” state. Also, it is more
Mode
coupling pronounced at low bit rates.
Geometrical-
Optics
Modal noise is produced in two stages:
Description
Step-index fiber
1 Mode coupling, and
Graded-index fiber 2 Mode selective loss
Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Modal Noise

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
vMode Coupling
Optics
Description, It cause light from multiple modes to merge into the
and Fiber
Modes
same mode.
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
When this happens the phase differences will cause in-
terference in the new mode.
Outline
If two newly mixed signals happen to be about the same
Mode
coupling amplitude and 180 degrees out of phase then the sig-
Geometrical- nals will destructively interfere with one another in the
Optics
Description new mode.
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber -In this case no power can travel in the new mode.
Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
For other phase mismatches the signal loss will be a lot
Multi-Mode Fibers
less than total but in most cases the signal power will be
Modal Noise
significantly reduced.
 Modal Noise

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
vMode Coupling
Optics
Description, Only when signals being exactly in-phase will all the sig-
and Fiber
Modes
nal power be coupled into the new mode.
Eyob Mersha - in this case there is no power loss.
(M.Sc.)
- power is coupled somewhere else (into other modes).
Outline
When laser changes wavelength by jumping to another
Mode
coupling lasing mode then the effects will change utterly.
Geometrical- Its behavior at an irregularity will change when the wave-
Optics
Description length (or the temperature) changes.
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise
 Modal Noise

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
vMode Coupling
Optics
Description,
Slightest change in laser wavelength will cause very large
and Fiber changes in the phases of the mixed signals.
Modes
Eyob Mersha All of this can change the amplitude of the mixed signal
(M.Sc.)
significantly and abruptly.
Outline Thus we have a picture of power travelling in many modes
Mode along a fibre where the distribution of power between the
coupling modes is changing abruptly and quite randomly
Geometrical-
Optics It is not noise of itself nor is it a direct source of noise.
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber
It is the normal way in which laser light travels on a mul-
Fiber Modes
timode fibre.
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers
-Noise is created when mode selective loss is present.
Modal Noise
 Modal Noise

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
vMode Selective Loss
Optics
Description, A large irregularity in the fibre (such as a bad connector)
and Fiber
Modes
causes not only the coupling of modes but also the loss
Eyob Mersha of modes completely from the fibre.
(M.Sc.)
If we just think of the loss characteristic,
Outline some modes will be completely lost
Mode some will couple their power to other modes but the power
coupling
will stay in the fibre and
Geometrical-
Optics other modes may be minimally affected
Description
Step-index fiber Even though the signal power loss from each mode at
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
a particular connector is constant, the power arriving
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers
moves rapidly from mode to mode.
Modal Noise
 Modal Noise

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
vMode Selective Loss
Optics
Description, If we have a relatively uniform fibre with no bad loss
and Fiber
Modes
points, minor irregularities will nevertheless stimulate mode
Eyob Mersha coupling.
(M.Sc.)
As we get further and further from the transmitter the
Outline
signal becomes more and more mixed and the power
Mode
coupling present in each mode tends to become the same as the
Geometrical- amount of power in each other mode.
Optics
Description When such a signal meets a source of mode selective
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber loss (such as the bad connector) although power loss
Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
occurs there is no ”noise” effect because the power loss
Multi-Mode Fibers does not vary.
Modal Noise
 Modal Noise

Mode
Coupling,
Geometrical-
vMode Selective Loss
Optics
Description, It will not happen with an incoherent light source (such
and Fiber
Modes
as an LED).
Eyob Mersha
(M.Sc.)
If the laser is multimoded and it hops very frequently be-
tween modes22 then the effect is reduced quite markedly.
Outline
However, if the coherence time of the laser is long (mean-
Mode
coupling ing it has a narrow linewidth) then we can get degrada-
Geometrical- tion of the signal.
Optics
Description
Step-index fiber
Graded-index fiber

Fiber Modes
Single-Mode Fibers
Multi-Mode Fibers

Modal Noise