Substantially rewritten, Fundamentals of Optical Fibers, Second Edition offers readers a timely and consistent introduction to the fundamental principles of light propagation in fibers. Incorporating the many developments in the field since the first edition appeared in 1995, this new edition reviews, in-depth, fundamental waveguiding principles, the influence of various fiber structures and materials on light transmission, and nonlinear propagation effects. Since the main applications of optical fibers occur within communication systems, the focus throughout is on topics that pertain to that domain.

Equally useful to professionals seeking an in-depth reference and as a text for senior- and graduate-level students, the book:

• Explains relevant waveguiding concepts and the influences of fiber structures and materials on light transmission
• Explores the limitations of fiber transmission, emphasizing the problems of loss and dispersion and the fiber designs currently used to control them
• Describes and demonstrates field analysis methods applicable to single-mode and multimode fibers
• Explores the origins of fiber nonlinearities, the principal nonlinear effects in fiber transmission, and applications
• Features new or enhanced discussions of such topics as polarization dispersion, polarization-maintaining fiber, photonic crystal fiber, rare-earth-doped fiber amplifiers, Raman amplifiers, soliton propagation, and more

Examples and chapter-end problems enhance the material, making this a well-balanced presentation of the basics of light propagation in fibers that is sure to become a standard in the field.