Ray-tracing Analysis of Guided Power in Single- and Dual-core Optical Fibers

Optical fibers serve as essential components in modern communication infrastructures, enabling the reliable transmission of large volumes of data across long distances with exceptionally low attenuation. The performance of these fibers is governed by several key factors, including the physical geometry of the fiber, the refractive-index distribution between the core and cladding, and the overall efficiency with which light is confined and guided within the core region. A comprehensive understanding of these parameters is crucial for predicting system behavior and optimizing fiber design for a wide range of applications. In this work, light propagation in both single-core and dual-core optical fibers is investigated using a simplified yet effective ray-tracing model. This modeling approach provides intuitive visualizations of ray trajectories and enables a quantitative analysis of the guided power fraction as a function of the launch angle. By examining how different launch conditions influence the proportion of light that remains confined within the fiber, the model offers insight into the mechanisms underlying mode propagation and coupling behavior in various fiber configurations. The results obtained from the simulations contribute both an instructive and predictive framework for evaluating the optical performance of single-core and dual-core fibers. This framework facilitates direct comparison between the two configurations and highlights their respective advantages, particularly in terms of light-guiding efficiency and potential application domains. Overall, the study demonstrates that simplified ray-based analyses can serve as valuable tools for understanding complex optical processes and guiding the development of improved fiber-based technologies.