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BRIEF RESEARCH REPORT article

Front. Phys., 11 November 2020
Sec. Statistical and Computational Physics
This article is part of the Research Topic Mathematical Treatment of Nanomaterials and Neural Networks View all 28 articles

Research on the Theory of Optical Transmission for Bragg Fiber With High-Index-Core

\nDaojun LiuDaojun LiuJi Zhang
Ji Zhang*
  • Department of General Education, AnHui XinHua University, Hefei, China

The paper analyzes the two theories of conducted light signal for Bragg fiber with high-index core, namely total internal reflection and photonic bandgap. From the perspective of the wave equation, the distribution of the electromagnetic field and the conditions for forming the guided mode when the optical signal is transmitted in the core of fiber are explained. The analysis of photonic bandgap adopts the band structure principle of natural crystals for analogy. Then, the formation process of the photonic bandgap is elaborated on.

Introduction

The concept of Bragg fiber has been proposed for a long time. With a periodic refractive index distribution along the radial direction, it belongs to a one-dimensional bandgap photonic crystal fiber. Generally speaking, Bragg fiber is of a cylindrical hollow structure, which is difficult in production and practical application, so the application of this fiber is slow after being proposed for many years. In recent years, it has been proposed to fill the hollow structure of Bragg fiber with a high refractive dielectric material to make it the Bragg fiber with high-index core [13]. Figures 1, 2 show the schematic diagram of the sectional drawing and refractive index of Bragg fiber with high-index core, respectively. It combines ordinary hollow Bragg fiber with traditional fiber. In this way, the problem in processing is solved. More importantly, two binding mechanisms for fiber transmission are provided, namely total internal reflection and photonic bandgap effect. Besides, more controllable structural parameters in the design can be obtained, making it free to choose to strengthen or weaken certain non-linear optical effects. Also, dispersion flattened of the specific band, and the extremely high non-linear coefficient can be obtained [2, 46].

FIGURE 1
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Figure 1. Sectional drawing of Bragg fiber with high-index core.

FIGURE 2
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Figure 2. Refractive index of Bragg fiber with high-index core.

Analysis of Wave Theory for Bragg Fiber With High-Index Core

The optical signal should satisfy the wave equation derived from Maxwell's equations [7]

2E+(nωc)2E=0.    (1)
2H+(nωc)2H=0.    (2)

Generally speaking, the vector solution to the earlier mentioned vector wave equation is very complicated. Therefore, the scalar effective index method is adopted for the solution of fiber in most cases [8]. Our concern is the optical power distribution of the optical field in the cross-section of the optical fiber during the transmission of an optical signal in optical fiber. To know the distribution, it is necessary to find the solution for the scalar field of the optical fibers of Equations (1) and (2) that satisfy the core-cladding boundary conditions. In the cylindrical coordinate system (r, ϕ, z) shown in Figure 3, Equation (1) can be expanded into a wave equation [5, 6, 9].

2EZr2+1rEZr+1r22EZϕ2+2EZz2+(nωc)2EZ=0    (3)

The following parameters can generally be provided in the field of optical fiber communication k = 2π/λ = 2πf/c = ω/c. λ and f are wavelength and frequency, β is propagation constant. As it is shown in Figure 3, core (0 ≤ ra) refractive index n(r) = nc, cladding (ra) refractive index n(r) = n1.

FIGURE 3
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Figure 3. Schematic diagram of the coordinates of the fiber in the cylindrical coordinate system.

Ez(z) in Equation (3) is set as Ez(r, ϕ, z) = Ez(r)Ez(ϕ)Ez(z) with the method of separation of variables. The optical signal transmitted along the z-axis Ez(z) is of the form of exp(-jβz). As optical fiber is of circular symmetry, Ez(ϕ) is the periodic function for ϕ. As a result, it can be set as exp(jmϕ) in which m is an integer. Because Ez(r) is unknown, it can be expressed as

Ez(r,ϕ,z)=Ez(r)ej(mϕ-βz).    (4)

In the core and cladding, substituting Equation (4) into Equation (3) yields two m-order Bessel equations

d2Ez(r)dr2+1rdEZ(r)dr+(u2a2-m2r2)EZ(r)=0(ra).    (5)
d2Ez(r)dr2+1rdEZ(r)dr-(w2a2-m2r2)EZ(r)=0(ra).    (6)

Among them, u, v, and w are three dimensionless variables namely

u2=a2(nc2k2β2). w2=a2(β2n12k2). v2=u2+w2=a2k2(nc2n12).}    (7)

Therefore, the specific distribution of the electromagnetic in the fiber can be obtained through analysis of the solution to Equations (5) and (6) [5, 6].

In the core (r ≤ a), the light wave produces total internal reflection, so the transmission of the light wave in the Z direction is slower than the transmission of a plane wave in the medium nc, namely β < knc. Where r = 0, the electromagnetic field should be a finite real number. According to these characteristics, the solution to Equation (5) should be m order Bessel function Jm(ur/a), so the expression of the electric field Ez(r, ϕ, z) and the magnetic field Hz(r, ϕ, z) in the core is as follows

Ezc(r,ϕ,z)=AJm(ur/a)Jm(u)ej(mΦβz)(0ra).Hzc(r,ϕ,z)=BJm(ur/a)Jm(u)ej(mΦβz)(0ra).}    (8)

In the cladding (r ≥ a), the light wave decays in the r direction. Where r → ∞, the electromagnetic field should decay to zero, namely β > kn1. The solution to Equation (6) should take the m-order-corrected Bessel function Km(ur/a), so the expression of the electric field Ez(r, ϕ, z) and the magnetic field Hz(r, ϕ, z) in the cladding is as follows

Ez1(r,ϕ,z)=AKm(wr/a)km(w)ej(mΦβz)(ra).Hz1(r,ϕ,z)=BKm(wr/a)km(w)ej(mΦβz)(ra).}    (9)

In the equation, A and B are constants determined by the excitation conditions. It can be concluded from two types of Bessel function curves of the principle of optical fiber communication that Jm(u) is similar to a sine curve with analogous amplitude attenuation, and Km(w) is similar to an index curve of attenuation. It can be learned from Equation (7) that where such parameters as nc, n1, a, and k are determined, u and w are only determined by β. Therefore, deriving the characteristic equation, satisfying β can obtain the value of β and u,w. The boundary condition of the electromagnetic in the core-cladding surface is as follows

Ezc=Ez1Hzc=Hz1.Eϕc=Eϕ1Hϕc=Hϕ1.}    (10)

It can be learned from Equations (8) and (9) that Ez and Hz satisfy the requirement of the boundary condition. The boundary condition satisfied by Eϕ and Hϕ can derive the characteristics equation satisfied by β

[Jm(u)uJm(u)+Km(w)wK m(w)][nc2n12Jm(u)uJm(u)+Km(w)wK(w)]=(βnk)2m2(1u2+1w2)(nc2n121u2+1w2).    (11)

The equation is combined with the characteristic parameters v defined by Equation (7); the value of β can be obtained with the numerical solution and thus determine the electromagnetic field distribution of light wave in the core.

Analysis of Photonic Bandgap Theory for Bragg Fiber With High-Index Core

A photonic crystal is a new type of optical material that emerged in recent years. The regular microstructure is introduced onto ordinary optical material artificially to form the microstructural material with a periodically changing refractive index. Generally speaking, the size of the microstructure is sub-micron and of the same order of magnitude to the wavelength of the light wave. This material with a periodical distribution of refractive index shows the special optical property for selecting different wavelengths of light. In other words, the light of some wavelengths could not exist or be transmitted in the photonic crystal but be reflected. For these wavelengths, photonic crystal is like a mirror to stop and reflect the incident light. This phenomenon is similar to the energy band structure of semiconductor physics [7, 1012].

According to solid-state physics, the motion of electrons in its periodic potential field satisfies the Schrödinger equation in natural crystal

[22m2+V(r)]ψ=Eψ.V(r)=V(r+R).}    (12)

In Equation (12), V(r) represents the potential energy, and R represents the lattice constant in the crystal. The electron wave can exhibit the energy band structure in the periodic potential field and form a forbidden band due to the scattering of atoms of the crystal [11]. The formation mechanism of the energy band in the photonic crystal is similar to the earlier mentioned process. The propagation of the electromagnetic wave in medium satisfies Maxwell equation [1316]

·D=ρ.·B=0.×E=-Bt.×H=J+Dt.}    (13)

In Equation (13) J=σE D=εE B=μH. Among them, σ, ε, andμ represent conductivity, permittivity, and permeability, respectively. If there is no free charge and current while the medium is also a non-magnetic and isotropic material, ε=ε(r) should be a periodic function considering the periodicity of the photonic crystal [14, 15]. ε(r)=ε0εr(r), μ = μ0, where εr(r) is the relative permittivity of the medium. It can be obtained through substituting the discussed parameters into Equation (13)

·ε0εr(r)E=0.·μ0H=0.×E+μ0Ht=0.×Hε0εr(r)Et=0.}    (14)

Considering that the incident light signal is a harmonic electromagnetic wave, if E=E(r)ejωt, H=H(r)ejωt, then it can be obtained through substituting into Equation (14)

·ε0εr(r)E(r)=0.·μ0H(r)=0.×E(r)+jωμ0H(r)=0.×H(r)jωε0εr(r)E(r)=0.}    (15)

After simplifying Equation (15), it can be obtained for TE mode (Hx=Hy=Ez=0) [2, 5, 6]

×[1ε(r)×H(r)]=(ωc)2H(r).    (16)

It can be obtained for TM mode (Ex = Ey = Hz = 0)

××E(r)=(ωc)2ε(r)E(r).    (17)

In Equations (16) and (17), c=1ε0μ0 is the velocity of light in vacuum. Equations (16) and (17) are the Helmholtz equations obtained through Maxwell's equations. The permittivity in photonic crystal shows a periodical change. The permittivity is set as the sum of two parts ε(r)=ε(r)+ε̄, where ε(r) is the changing permittivity and ε̄ is the average permittivity. It can be obtained through substituting the discussed parameter in respect to Equation (17)

[2(ωc)2ε(r)]E(r)+[ E(r)]=(ωc)2ε¯E (r). ε(r)=ε(r+ R).}    (18)

Where R is the lattice constant of the photonic crystal. If we use Equations (18) and (12) to make the following analogy [1719]

(ωc)2ε(r)~V(r).                                   (ωc)2ε¯~E.}    (19)

The two are extremely similar. It is discovered in further comparison that Equation (18) has one more item ∇ [E(r)] and is a vector, whereas Equation (12) is scalar. However, if vertical incidence or one-dimensional conditions are considered, then∇ [E(r)] = 0. In this way, there is almost no difference between the two. As a result, Equation (18) can also use the Bloch theorem to calculate the energy band or bandgap. It can be seen from the previous analysis that the movement of a photon in a photonic crystal is similar to the movement of electrons in a periodic potential field, which could cause energy band structure with bandgap. The solution to Equations (16) and (17) show that there is no solution in some frequency bands. It means that photonic crystal stops the transmission of an electromagnetic wave in these frequency bands, resulting in the photonic bandgap. This method to constrain optical transmission is sometimes more efficient than total reflection [6, 2023]. Because photonic crystal has the special property to control light, researchers introduced this microstructure into the cladding of fiber in the 1990s to form a forbidden band to stop light signal from entering the cladding and constrain it in the core to form a guided mode.

Conclusion

Bragg fiber with high-index core can provide two kinds of light-guiding modes for optical signal transmission, namely full reflection effect and photonic bandgap effect. The specific process of optical signal transmission in optical fiber is analyzed and calculated from the wave equation. The transmission constant is obtained by numerical solution to the equations β, and the distribution of the electromagnetic field and the conditions for forming the guided mode when the optical signal is transmitted in the core of fiber are determined [24, 25]. The photonic bandgap is a kind of special structure obtained by the analogy of photonic crystal and natural crystal, which is similar to the energy band structure of the natural crystal. By analogy with the equation established in the transmission of optical signals in photonic crystal and the Schrodinger equation of solid-state physics, it is learned that the optical signals of certain frequency bands in photonic crystals cannot be transmitted, thus forming the forbidden band, that is, the principle of photonic bandgap effect.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Author Contributions

DL and JZ contributed to the conception and design of the study. JZ organized the literature. DL performed the design of figures and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors contributed to the manuscript revision, read, and approved the submitted version.

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province of China (Grant Nos. KJ2019A0879 and KJ2018A0588).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the reviewers and the editors for their careful reviews and constructive recommendations.

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Keywords: optical communication, fiber mode, wave theory, photonic band-gap, finite difference time domain, Bragg fiber

Citation: Liu D and Zhang J (2020) Research on the Theory of Optical Transmission for Bragg Fiber With High-Index-Core. Front. Phys. 8:381. doi: 10.3389/fphy.2020.00381

Received: 24 April 2020; Accepted: 07 August 2020;
Published: 11 November 2020.

Edited by:

Jinde Cao, Southeast University, China

Reviewed by:

Yujun Yang, Yantai University, China
Zhongxun Zhu, South-Central University for Nationalities, China

Copyright © 2020 Liu and Zhang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Ji Zhang, coolfall123@126.com

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