Simulations And Analysis Of Optical Fiber Devices Based On Side-Polished Fiber

Side-polished fiber(SPF) has attracted a lot of attention for its unique optical characteristics, lower cost and all fiber miniaturizing so as to become a good choice for manufacturing new fiber components. We simulated and analyzed the optical fiber devices based on side-polished fiber by finite element method and three-dimensional finite-difference beam propagation method. The results have provided theoretical knowledge for experimental research. The finite element method was used to compute thermal distributions of the three-dimensional thermo-optic waveguide models.The thermal distributions of fiber devices with single stick electrode or helical electrode inside were analyzed respectively. Comparing the two thermal-distributions formed by the electrodes, the helical structured electrode is a more suitable electrode for side-polished fiber devices surrounded by thermo-optic polymer. The results could offer a guide for the experiments of refractive index distribution of a side-polished fiber waveguide.The three-dimensional finite-difference beam propagation method was used to compute the optical properties of fiber devices based on side-polished fiber. The simulation showed that the lightwave propagated in the side-polished fiber was multimode. Some effects on optical power attenuation properties were analyzed, such as the polished length, the thickness of the remained cladding of side-polished fiber, and the refractive index (RI) of polymer covered on the polished area. According to the analysis, as the polished length was shorter than 9 millimeters, the optical power attenuation would decrease monotonously along with the increase of thickness of the remained cladding. However, as the polished length was longer than 9 millimeters, there would be undulation of optical power attenuation while the thickness of the remained cladding was smaller than 3 micrometers. The optical power attenuation would decrease with the increase of thickness of the remained cladding while it was larger than 3 micrometers. In addition, the optical power attenuation would decrease with increasing of polished length as the side-polished...