Specialty Optical Fibers Handbook

3. Ensure that the index profile can be robustly manufactured with the available

preform fabrication process.

Because the physics of optical fiber transmission and the state of the art of

glass processing technology will not always allow the simultaneous achievement

of the targets and constraints, the process by nature is a compromise.

It would be impractical to implement this process without simulation tools

that enable a ‘‘virtual’’ search of the fiber design parameter space for acceptable

solutions. Typically, finite element techniques are employed to solve the Helm-

holtz equation for a given waveguide structure and determine values for the

pertinent fiber properties. Optimization techniques can be applied to the design

search to locate solutions ...