Mode coupling and equilibrium mode distribution conditions in plastic optical fibers

The equilibrium mode distribution (EMD) condition is critical for optical fiber measurements. In this letter, we examine the achievement of EMD condition inside plastic optical fibers (POF's) under different launch conditions. Our pulse broadening measurements of step-index (SI) POF's as a function of fiber length show that the EMD condition can readily be achieved in an SI POF much shorter than in glass optical fibers. The observation of the EMD condition was also independently verified using the far-field pattern technique.