Far-field radiation patterns and mode coupling in plastic optical fibers

Abstract

A complete understanding of the propagation characteristics of plastic optical fibers (POFs) is crucial for their future applications in short-haul data transmission systems. In this article, we summarize the observation of strong mode coupling effect inside POFs through different experimental techniques. The optical pulse broadening measurements show characteristic change over from linear to square root length dependence. The equilibrium mode distribution (EMD) condition can readily be achieved in step-index (SI) POFs at lengths (approximately 15 - 20 m) much shorter than in glass optical fibers (GOFs). Our results are directly verified by independent measurements of the far-field radiation patterns and the mode coupling coefficient inside POFs, which is over two orders of magnitude larger than in GOFs.