Optical Fibers for Transmission

Provides a broad and easily assimilated introduction to fiber communications, requiring no more mathematical knowledge than needed for a bachelor's degree in physics, chemistry, or engineering. Reviews necessary mathematics, introducing electromagnetic theory and dielectric waveguides; presents underlying theories of propagation in multimode step index and graded index fibers, emphasizing physical models in practical situations. Covers mode coupling, the performance of joint sections, and mode and material dispersion. Includes detailed discussions of techniques for the preparation of optical fibers, factors, controlling their loss and bandwidth, and techniques for measuring, jointing, and splicing. Also includes optical fiber cables, their design, materials used in their construction, and special strength properties. Closes by examining the optical receiver and the special properties that it shows as a result of the photon or shot noise associated with the optical signal, followed by some simple modelling to see how fibers interact and can be optimized within an optical fiber system.