Mode field diameter measurement conditions for fibers by transmitted field pattern methods

The transmitted near- and far-field pattern methods, measuring the mode field diameter of the fundamental LP 01 mode in a single-mode fiber are studied. On the basis of measurement error evaluation, the optimum measurement conditions for typical single-mode fibers are determined. Actual measured values for nearly ideal step-index fibers are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions (within 0.2 μm with a standard deviation of 0.05 μm). The mode field diameter measurement by the transmitted field pattern methods is useful for the study of the structural optimization of the single-mode fibers.