Course 12: Fiber Optics

Credit: 04

Total Marks: 100 (70 External+30 Internal)

Total Hours requires: 60 Hrs.

Overview of Course:                                                                                     

This course will provide a practical introduction to the basic principles of optical fiber systems and networks.  The course will emphasize the physical properties and operation of components that comprise optical systems (fiber, semiconductor lasers, photodetectors, etc.).  The basic elements of optical network operation will also be described. The material will cover a broad number of topics to allow the student to understand the underlying principles of the field and to be prepared for more detailed study in the form of advanced courses and/or research.

Objectives:

As a result of this course, it is expected that the student will be able to:

• 1. Explain the operation of optical fibers and their characteristics such as attenuation and dispersion.

  2. Understand the operation of active optoelectronic semiconductor components such as diode lasers, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and photodetectors.

  3. Describe the operating principles of optical components such as couplers and optical amplifiers.

  4. Use the operating characteristics of these devices to design an optical link for specific distance and bandwidth goals.

Course Content:

UNIT 1

Overview of Optical Communication Systems

This Unit provides an overview of the fiber optical system, and the lightning review of optics will cover the basics of and overview of the distinctive characteristics of the propagation of light in conducting and dielectric waveguides.

Overview of Optical Communication Systems: Historical Development, Elementary idea about optical fiber transmission link, Advantages and disadvantages of Fiber Communication Systems, Overview of Optics: The nature of light, Optical basic laws, Wave theory of light, Polarization of light, Characteristics of optical fibers: Optical Fiber modes and configuration, Wave propagation in multimode and single-mode optical fibers, Attenuation, Dispersion.

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UNIT 2

Fiber Material and Fabrication

This unit covers propagation in multimode and single-mode fibers, coupling into and out of fibers, fiber material and various fabrication methods.

Coupling into and out of fibers: Fiber to Fiber Joints, Fiber Splicing, Optical Fiber Connectors, Fiber material and fabrication: Various types of Fiber Materials, Various methods of Fiber Fabrication.

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UNIT 3

Optical Source and Detectors

This Unit covers the physics and technology of light emission and amplification in semiconductors, light-emitting diodes, semiconductor lasers (including both edge-emitting and surface-emitting lasers). Also, covers the physics and technology of the detection and demodulation of light, including photodiodes and APDs.

Optical Source: Review of Semiconducting Physics, Energy Bands, Intrinsic and Extrinsic Material, The pn Junctions, Band-gaps, Light-Emitting Diodes, Modulation capability, Transient response, Semiconductor Losses, LASER Diodes: Structure and Threshold conditions, Temperature Effects, Source Linearity and Reliability and Quantum Efficiency, Optical Detectors: PIN photo detector, Avalanche photodiode, Noise consideration, Response time, Depletion layer photocurrent, Avalanche multiplication noise, materials used in APDs.

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UNIT 4

Optical Fiber Measurements

This Unit covers the various measurement techniques which covers the measurement of Attenuation as well as loss occurred in fiber.

Attenuation Measurement: Cutback method, Optical Time Domain Reflectometer, Fiber fault location, Time Domain Dispersion Measurements, Frequency Domain Measurements. Refractive Index Profile Measurement: End reflection technique, Transmitted near field scanning method, Refracted near filed technique, Interferometer of optical source characteristics, Response time, Distortions.

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Recommended Book

1. Optical Fiber Communications by Gerd Keiser, McGraw-Hill Publication.

2. Optical Fiber Communications: Principles and Practice by John M. Senior, Pearson Education Publication

Reference Book:

1. Fiber Optic Communication by D. C. Agarwal, S. Chand Publication

2. Fiber Optics and Optoelectronics by R. P. Khare, Oxford Publication.

3. Fiber Optics through Experiments by Shenoy, Khijwania, Ghatak and Pal, Viva Publication.