Due : 14.03.

2011
Homework 1
1. Basics

(a) Calculate the distance traveled by light in an optical fiber in 1ns.

Parameters: c=2.99 x 108 m/s, nfiber=1.45

(b) Calculate the energy of photons emitted by a laser diode. The emitted wavelength
of the laser diode is 553nm. The energy should be calculated in electron Volts
[eV]. The energy of a photon can be calculated by E=hf, where h is the Planck’s
constant and f is the frequency of the wave.
Parameters: h=6.63 x 10-34 Js, c=2.99 x 108 m/s, q=1.60 x 10-19 C.

(c) Consider a fiber of 20km length with a refractive index of n=1.5. Assume that the
optical fiber is connected to a laser diode, which is modulated at a bit rate of
10Gbps. Calculate the number of bits at any time in the fiber.

2. Ray optics

We know that light has to enter a fiber under a certain angle (acceptance cone) to be
guided by the fiber. Light that enters the fiber outside of this acceptance cone will not be
coupled in the core of the fiber (figure 1). The light coupled in the cladding of the fiber is
lost. It can not be used for transmitting data. Calculate the acceptance angle of the optical
fiber in figure 1.
Parameters: n1=1.50, n2=1.45.
Fig. 1: Coupling of a ray into a core of a fiber. The ray can only be coupled into the fiber
if the angle of incident is within the acceptance cone. (Ref: J.M. Senior, Optical Fiber
Communication)

3. Wave propagation through a thin film of thin plate

The transmission of light through a thin film or a thin plate should be calculated.
Throughout the following question it can be assumed that the incident light is
perpendicular to the glass plate.

(a) Calculate the transmission of light through the thin plate shown in figure 2. The
influence of interference effects and the absorption of light in the thin plate can be
neglected. To simplify the calculation multiple reflections at the two air/plate
interfaces are neglected. Multiple reflection means that a fraction of the light
bounces back and forth in the thin glass plate before it is reflected or transmitted.
Simply consider in your calculation the directed transmission of light through the
plate.
Parameter: nplate=1.93

(b) In the following the influence of multiple reflection on the transmission of light
should be considered. Use equation (1) to calculate the transmission. The
parameters T1, T2, R1 and R2 corresponds to the transmission and reflection of
light at the front and the back side of the thin plate. It can be assumed that
R1=R2=R and T1=T2=T. The influence of interference and the absorption of light
can be still neglected.
(1− R1 ) ( 1− R 2 ) T2
T = 1+ R1 R 2
= (1)
1 + R2
(c) In addition to multiple reflections we will now consider the influence of
interference on the transmission of light. Use equation (2) to calculate the
transmission. The parameter d corresponds to the thickness of the thin plate.
Calculate the transmission for a wavelength of 550nm (green light). Calculate the
transmission and plot the transmission as a function of the thickness of the thin
plate. The thickness of the glass plate should range from 0- 2μm. The absorption
of light in the thin film can be still neglected.
 T2
T (d ) = (2)
 4π n d 
1 + R − 2 R cos 
2

 λ 
(d) In the final step we will now consider the absorption of light in the thin plate. Use
equation (3) to calculate the transmission. The parameter α corresponds to the
absorption coefficient or attenuation coefficient. Again calculate the transmission
for a wavelength of 550nm (green light). Calculate the transmission and plot the
transmission as a function of the thickness of the thin glass plate. The thickness of
the glass plate should range from 0-2μm. Compare the results with the results
under (c).
Parameter: α=5000cm-1

T 2 e −2α d
T (d ) = (3)
−2α d −α d  4π n d 
1+ R e 2
−2 R e cos  
 λ 

Fig. 2: Transmission of a plane wave through a transparent plate. (Ref.: Saleh & Teich,
Fundamentals of Photonics)