Frequency response in step-index plastic optical fibers obtained by numerical solution of the time-dependent power flow equation

The time-dependent power flow equation is employed to calculate frequency response and bandwidth in addition to mode coupling and mode-dependent attenuation in step-index plastic optical fibers. Frequency response is specified in the paper as a function of fiber length. Results are found to match reported measurements better than the existing analytical solution does. Mode-dependent attenuation and mode dispersion and coupling are known to be strong in plastic optical fibers, leading to major implications for their frequency response.

► Time-dependent power flow equation is solved using explicit finite difference method in SI POFs.
► As a result, frequency response and bandwidth are specified as a function of fiber length.
► Results match reported measurements better than the existing analytical solution does.