Definitions for "Graded Index Fiber"
An optical fiber in which the refractive index changes gradually between the core and cladding, in a way designed to refract light so it stays in the fiber core. Such fibers have lower dispersion and broader bandwidth than step index fibers.
An optical fiber core designed with a refractive index that gradually decreases as it approaches the cladding. Light rays are refracted within the core rather than reflected as in step-index fibers. Graded index fibers were developed to lessen the modal dispersion effects of multimode fibers. The variance in the time light rays take to travel within the fiber is minimized: rays within the center part that travel a shorter distance of the core travel slower than the longer traveling rays in the outer part. Modal dispersion is reduced, increasing bandwidth potential.
Fiber design of optical fiber having a core refractive index that decreases almost parabolically and radially outward toward the cladding.