Single-mode optical fiber with arbitrary refractive index profile: Propagation solution by the Numerov method

The Numerov integration scheme is discussed in its application to calculation of the propagation characteristics of single-mode optical fibers with arbitrary refractive-index profiles. The technique can be made highly accurate, with modest computational requirements. Examples are given for simple step fiber, W-fiber with rectangular central dip, and for depressed-clad fibers. For the depressed-clad fibers, experimental results are compared with predictions for dispersion from the Numerov method.