1. Guided propagation in optical fibers

Optical fibers have thus opened up a vast field of applications for optics and semiconductor components in the fields of information transmission and sensors. This paper summarizes the principles governing the use of optical fibers in general, and single-mode structures in particular.

Various types of fiber can be used for optical signal transmission. Optical wave transmission properties are dictated by the opto-geometric characteristics of the structure attached to the waveguide.

Light propagation in these structures can be described by a set of guided electromagnetic waves, also known as waveguide modes. Each guided mode is characterized by a distribution of repeated electric and magnetic field lines along the fiber. Only a discrete number of modes can propagate along the waveguide. These modes are characterized by electromagnetic waves...