Refractive index contrast
Encyclopedia
Refractive index contrast, in an optical fiber
, is a measure of the relative difference in refractive index
of the core and cladding
. Refractive index contrast, Δ, is given by Δ = (n12- n22)/(2n12), where n1 is the maximum refractive index in the core and n2 is the refractive index of the homogeneous cladding.
Optical fiber
An optical fiber is a flexible, transparent fiber made of a pure glass not much wider than a human hair. It functions as a waveguide, or "light pipe", to transmit light between the two ends of the fiber. The field of applied science and engineering concerned with the design and application of...
, is a measure of the relative difference in refractive index
Refractive index
In optics the refractive index or index of refraction of a substance or medium is a measure of the speed of light in that medium. It is expressed as a ratio of the speed of light in vacuum relative to that in the considered medium....
of the core and cladding
Cladding (fiber optics)
Cladding is one or more layers of material of lower refractive index, in intimate contact with a core material of higher refractive index. The cladding causes light to be confined to the core of the fiber by total internal reflection at the boundary between the two. Light propagation in the...
. Refractive index contrast, Δ, is given by Δ = (n12- n22)/(2n12), where n1 is the maximum refractive index in the core and n2 is the refractive index of the homogeneous cladding.