Abstract

The detailed theory is presented together with design considerations and recent experimental results for an electronically controllable directional coupler for multimode optical fibers. The device, based on plastic-clad silica fiber, is of exceptionally simple construction and compact size and is highly reliable. A theoretical model of the coupler is described and compared with actual device performance. The coupling can be varied from −4 to −28 dB with an excess loss of <0.2 dB over the entire coupling range, in agreement with theory. Improvements in the present device design are also discussed.

© 1985 Optical Society of America

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