Mode theory of Circular Waveguides

Various Field distributions (modes) across the fiber cross section

To understand the electromagnetic field propagation in optical fibers, we should solve

Maxwell’s equations with the condition that the tangential components of the electric
and magnetic fields should be continuous at the interface between the core and
cladding. When the refractive index difference between the core and cladding is small,
a weakly guiding or scalar approximation can be made, and in this approximation the
electromagnetic field is assumed to be nearly transverse as in the case of free space
propagation.

The wave equation can be written as

(1)

The velocity components v(r) can be written in terms of the refractive index as,

, where c is the velocity of light in free space and

, a is the core radius. We assume that n1 > n2.

Photonics
K. Sunilkumar, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, HITS
Now in cylindrical coordinate system, the Laplacian is given as,

(2)

Assume the laser oscillates with frequency and we write the solution as,

(3)

Substituting for C in terms of n(r) and differentiating the field quantity E twice with
respect to ‘t’ yields the following equation,

(4)

(5)

Where, is the free space wavenumber. The above equation is called Helmholtz
equation. This can be solved using variable separable method. Writing,

(6)

Substituting (6) in (5) gives,

( ) ( ) (7)

Photonics
K. Sunilkumar, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, HITS
Divide with , we get,

( ) ( )

( ) ( ) (8)

Here we assumed that E can be decomposed into three different components which
are function of separate variables alone. Since the RHS of the equation depends only
on z and the LHS depends only on R an , they can be equated only if each of them is
a constant, independent of r, and z. if is the constant, then we have,

(9)

Which gives, (10)

This gives, (11)

The first and second terms representing the forward and backward propagating waves,
respectively. In this case, let us consider only the forward propagating mode, setting
A2 =0.

Now the LHS of (8) gives, ( ) ( ) (12)

The LHS of (12) is a function of r only and RHS is a function of only. Each of these
terms should be constant. Let m2 be the constant, then we have,

( ) (13)

So that, (14)

The first and second terms representing the modes propagating counter clockwise and
clockwise directions, respectively, m is positive. Now (13) will help us to rewrite (12) as

( ) (15)

(16)

Substituting for from , we get

Photonics
K. Sunilkumar, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, HITS
 (17)

And (18)

Now fiber modes can be classified into two types,

(i) and these are called guided modes

(ii) and these modes are called radiation modes.

Guided Modes

Since, the last term in (17) is positive and the solution is given in terms
of Bessel’s functions,

, (19)

Where √ are Bessel’s functions of the first and

second kind respectively.

Bessel’s functions of the (a) first and (b) second kind

Here, we neglect the second kind equations as it becomes negative infinity when r
approaching 0. Hence the final solution is on the first part of (19).
Photonics
K. Sunilkumar, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, HITS
 (20)

Since, the last term in (18) is negative and the solution is given in terms
of modified Bessel’s functions,

, (21)

Where √ are modified Bessel’s functions of the

first and second kind respectively.

Modified Bessel’s functions of the (a) first and (b) second kind

The first (Im) kind solution has to be rejected as it becomes infinity when r becomes
infinity. Hence the solution becomes,

, (22)

Photonics
K. Sunilkumar, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, HITS