Mode-dependent attenuation of optical fibers: excess loss

Abstract

A theory is presented for calculating the excess loss produced by random perturbations of optical fibers. The theory is applicable to perturbations whose longitudinal spatial frequencies are below the range required for mode coupling. To illustrate the method, losses due to diameter variations are calculated for the case of a step-index optical fiber. The diameter variations are found to produce a strong attenuation of the higher order modes. The total excess loss is approximately wavelength independent.