DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
STEP INDEX AND GRADE INDEX
FIBERS
Dr.S.Vasantha, CIT
Characteristic properties Step Index Fiber Graded Index Fiber
The refractive index of the core The refractive index of the core
is uniform throughout and is made to vary in the parabolic
undergoes an abrupt (or) step manner such that the
1) Definition
change at the cladding maximum refractive index is
boundary. present at the centre of the
core.
The light rays propagating The light rays propagating
through it are in the form of through it are in the form of
meridional rays which will skew rays (or) helical rays
cross the fiber axis during which will not cross the fiber
2) Propagation of Light every reflection at the core- axis at any time and are
cladding boundary and are propagating around the fiber
propagating in a zig-zag axis in a helical (or) spiral
manner. manner.
Dr.S.Vasantha, CIT
Characteristic Step Index Fiber Graded Index Fiber
properties
3) Diameter of the Single mode Multimode
core
10 µm 50-200 µm 50 µm
4) Diagram Core
cladding
Dr.S.Vasantha, CIT
Characteristic properties Step Index Fiber Graded Index Fiber
5) Signal distortion No More Very low
6) Numerical aperture Very less More More
7) Bandwidth Higher Lower Higher
Dr.S.Vasantha, CIT
Characteristic properties Step Index Fiber Graded Index Fiber
8) No of modes of
propagation
9) The refractive index
difference at the core- Larger Smaller
cladding interface
Dr.S.Vasantha, CIT
Characteristic properties Step Index Fiber Graded Index Fiber
10) Application Long distance transmission Short distance transmission
application application
11) Transmission of 1) Single mode Multimode
2) Multimode
signals
Dr.S.Vasantha, CIT
