Graded-index linear tapers

A parabolic graded-index linear taper is proposed and analyzed using the geometrical optics approach. Ray trajectories are calculated as a function of taper length and angle. Both leaky and bound rays are examined. Applications of the proposed taper are addressed with particular emphasis on coupling of light sources to optical fibers. As an example, improvement in power coupling efficiency of surface emitting light source to multimode fiber is studied. This improvement is due to the gradual concentration of power from a larger area to a smaller one. Simulation results for ray trajectories illustrating the gradual focusing of light are presented.<
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