Wavelength-selective core-to-jacket coupling in optical fiber.
Mode coupling between the fundamental core mode of an as-drawn optical fiber operating far from cutoff and higher-order modes in the plastic jacketing has been observed. In one fiber, the transmission spectrum of the core exhibited five distinct minima between 1200 and 1900 nm. By approximating the fiber jacket as an asymmetric slab waveguide of infinite lateral extent, the wavelengths of these transmission features were successfully predicted using coupled-mode theory. Since conditions at the jacket surface influence the transmission spectrum, this coupling effect potentially enables new applications for environmental sensing.
Miller
Gary A
GA
Optical Sciences Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA. gray.miller@nrl.navy.mil
Askins
Charles G
CG
Taunay
Thierry
T