Single mode optical fiber characterisation by the LP11 mode radiation pattern

We describe a method for determining the V-value from the far-field radiation pattern of dual mode optical fibers (this method is an extension of the work by Gambling et al. for the LP₁₁ modes). The method involves measurements of the maximum radiation angle and the angle of the first minimum. Curves are presented which can be used with dual mode fibers, determining the core diameter, the refractive index difference between core and cladding, as well as the V-value in the single mode regime for longer wavelength operation with the help of dispersion curves of the dopant materials.