Abstract

As a result of fiber imperfections, finite cladding thickness, random bending and other phenomena, there are differences in the attenuation rates of the various modes of an optical fiber. Measurement of this differential mode attenuation can provide insight into the causes of excess loss and can be useful for predicting a fiber's propagation characteristics. Measurement of this property in step-index fibers is straightforward.The situation for graded-index fibers is far more complex.3 This work provides the first technique for measuring differential attenuation in graded-index fibers.

© 1977 Optical Society of America