Module overview
In-depth knowledge of optical fibres as a light guiding medium is vital for understanding most other areas of optical fibre technology (telecommunications, sensors), and as support for practical work in this field. This module will describe the core areas of passive optical fibres. Fundamentals of propagation of light through optical fibres will be introduced. The nonlinear phenomena and their application in fibre optics will be briefly introduced. Knowledge of optical materials as a fundamental tool for understanding optical fibres, including their various types and fabrication will be covered. The operating principles and key properties of a variety of optical fibres will be followed by technologies relating to fibre fabrication and fibre characterisation.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Use a variety of information sources (lectures, web, journals) to understand & solve problems (in this case for optical fibre technologies)
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Appreciate various types of optical fibres and their key properties
- Understand the fundamentals of optical materials and recognise the importance of optical materials in fibre optics
- Appreciate the physics of propagation of light in optical fibres
- Appreciate a range of methods of fabrication and characterisation of optical fibres
- Understand nonlinear optical phenomena in optical fibres
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Understand how key fibre parameters influence the fibre waveguiding properties
- Understand the concept of nonlinear phenomena in dielectric fibres
- Make quantitative calculations of the properties of optical fibres based on the knowledge of their parameters and materials used
- Appreciate the influence of materials upon the performance of optical fibres
Syllabus
Part 1: Light propagation through optical fibres
Overview of optical fibre technologies.
Maxwell’s equations.
The wave equation.
Dispersion relations applied to fibre geometries.
Optical fields in solid-core optical fibres (guided modes, single and multi-mode guidance).
Signal guiding in ‘holey’ fibres.
Part 2: Introduction to nonlinear optics in optical fibres
Nonlinear susceptibility.
Nonlinear wave equation.
Nonlinear interactions (SHG and phase matching).
Nonlinear fibre optics.
Short pulse propagation in fibres (NLSE).
Dispersion and nonlinearity (pulse solutions).
Part 3: Materials for fibres and materials characterisation
The glassy phase (introduction to crystalline and non-crystalline solids).
Novel and multi-component glasses.
Thermal analysis/stability of glasses.
Optical fibre loss mechanisms.
Material/Fibre characterisations (loss/microscopy/composition)
Part 4: Fibre types, fabrication and characterisation
Silica fibre basics (pure-silica core; germanosilicate; phosphosilicate; and aluminosilicate optical fibres).
Specialty silica fibres (polarisation-maintaining; dispersion managed; highly-nonlinear; photosensitive; rare-earth doped etc.).
Non-silica fibre basics (soft-glasses: tellurite, chalcogenide, fluoride; bismuth-oxide; polymers).
Photonic bandgap fibres (solid core and hollow-core).
Fabrication technology of low-loss silica-based optical fibres.
Fabrication technology of non-silica optical fibres.
Fibre characterisation (refractive index profile; optical-time-domain-reflectometry to measure fibre attenuation, uniformity, splice and connector losses; birefringence; dispersion etc.).
Fibre reliability (ITU standards; fibre mechanical strength; fibre fuse; etc.).
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The course consists of 3-4 lectures per week including a bi-weekly workshop/tutorial. Online lecture notes and self-study packs will be provided on Blackboard.
- Learning activities include
- Attending lectures, problems classes, and exam preparation
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 26 |
| Revision | 10 |
| Wider reading or practice | 62 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 13 |
| Tutorial | 10 |
| Completion of assessment task | 16 |
| Follow-up work | 13 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Specialty Optical Fibers Handbook. Authors: Alexis Mendez and T. F. Morse Publisher: Academic Press
Internet Resources
Textbooks
Govind Agrawal. Nonlinear Fiber Optics. Academic Press.
Katsunari Okamoto. Fundamentals of Optical Waveguides. Academic Press.
H. Rawson. Inorganic Glass-forming Systems. Academic Press.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final Assessment | 60% |
| Continuous Assessment | 40% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final Assessment | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final Assessment | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External