定义：
衡量激光模式或激光光束横向范围的值。

某一模式（例如，光学腔或者波导中）光强分布的横向范围通常表征为模式半径，其定义与高斯模式半径类似：模式半径是指强度变为光束轴向强度的1/e2 时对应的半径。对于非高斯模式性质的情况，通常采用高斯拟合来得到半径。 

模式直径（有时也称为模场直径，MFD）为模式半径的两倍。 

一般不采用模式尺寸或斑点尺寸来定量描述，因为不清楚半径或直径代表什么。 

单模光纤的模式半径 
在单模光纤中，可以根据纤芯半径a和V值来估计模式半径，采用Marcuse’s方程： 

这表明当频率变大时模式半径变小，V值更大。当V值大于1时该方程相当准确。在多模范围时（V>2.405），它适用于基模。 

模式半径与有效模式面积的关系为： 

Acronym: MFD = mode field diameter = twice the mode radius

Definition: a measure of the transverse extent of a laser mode or laser beam

Alternative term: mode field radius

The transverse extent of the optical intensity distribution of a mode (e.g. of an optical cavity or a waveguide) is usually specified as a mode radius (or mode field radius). It is mostly of interest in the context of single-mode fibers, or for the fundamental mode of multimode fibers (mostly few-mode fibers). It can be defined in different ways, as described in the following section.

The mode diameter (or mode field diameter, MFD) is simply twice the mode radius.

It is not recommended to use the common terms mode size or spot size in a quantitative sense, because it is then not clear whether the radius or the diameter is meant.

Near-Field Based Definitions

Traditionally, the mode field radius (or diameter) was defined as for Gaussian beams, where the beam radius is the radius where the intensity has dropped to 1/e² of the intensity on the beam axis. This is a suitable definition as long as the mode intensity profile has a close to Gaussian shape. For better accuracy, one can then use a Gaussian fit and take its radius as the result, rather than directly applying the 1/e² criterion to the mode intensity profile.

For modes with clearly non-Gaussian profiles, as occur for some fibers (e.g., many dispersion-shifted fibers), such methods are not suitable. A more accurate way of obtaining the near-field beam radius is then to apply the D4σ method (ISO Standard 11146) to the measured near-field beam profile. This technique is explained in the article on beam radius. It requires a high dynamic range and can profit from special smoothing techniques.

In any case, near-field measurement methods are used. For example, one may image the near field (i.e., the field distribution at a fiber end) onto a somewhat larger spot and scan that spot with a small photodetector.

Far-Field Based Definitions

It is quite common to measure the far field profile, i.e., the beam profile outside the fiber in a distance which is much larger than the Rayleigh length. This can be done e.g. with a camera mounted in some distance to the fiber end, or by scanning the far field with a small photodetector.

One can then calculate a near field mode radius (or diameter) from the measured angular width in the far field. The nowadays most common method is using the “Petermann II mode field diameter definition” [2, 3], assuming a radially symmetric fiber mode:

(There is also a Petermann I definition, which applies directly to the near field and agrees with the common D4σ definition of the beam radius.)

For fibers with close to Gaussian mode profiles, the near-field and far-field mode field diameters agree quite well, whereas in other cases the far-field values can be significantly smaller. Both values are relevant for coupling losses at fiber joints: the far-field mode radius is relevant for losses related to a transverse core offset, whereas the near-field mode radius is relevant concerning angular misalignment.

Indirect Measurement Techniques

There are also various indirect techniques for measuring the mode field diameter (or radius). For example, the transverse offset technique is based on measuring coupling losses between two pieces of single-mode fiber as a function of a transverse core offset. These are related to the far-field beam radius. Other techniques are based on variable aperture.

Marcuse Formula for the Mode Radius of a Step-index Single-mode Fiber

For step-index single-mode fibers, the mode radius may be estimated from the core radius a and the V number, using Marcuse's equation [1]:

This shows that the mode radius becomes smaller for higher frequencies, which have higher V values. The equation is fairly accurate for V values above 1. In the multimode range (V > 2.405), it applies to the fundamental mode.

There is also a modified formula for approximating the Petermann II mode field radius [4]:

This is accurate within 1% for V between 1.5, and 2.5, the range of highest practical interest.

Figure 1: Mode radius relative to the core size according to the Marcuse formula and the modified version for approximating the Petermann II mode field radius.

For a given numerical aperture, one may expect that a smaller core radius will lead to a smaller mode radius. However, for core radii below a certain value, the mode radius rises again (see Figure 2). In that regime, the mode field extends far into the cladding.

Figure 2: LP₀₁ mode radius (D4σ value) of step-index fibers with different numerical apertures as a function of the core radius, calculated with RP Fiber Power. The wavelength of 1550 nm has been assumed for all cases.

Relation of Mode Field Radius and Effective Mode Area

It appears natural to relate the mode field radius to the mode area according to

and to call this the mode field area (MFA). However, the effective mode area is actually defined differently:

Depending on the mode shape, the values from the two definitions can deviate substantially from each other. For calculating the effective mode area from the mode field diameter, one can thus apply a correction factor, which depends on the wavelength [6].

For judging the strength of fiber nonlinearities, the latter definition (effective mode area) is clearly more appropriate.

Relevance of the Mode Field Diameter

The mode field diameter (or radius) is relevant e.g. at fiber joints, where a mismatch of mode sizes and angular deviations can lead to substantial coupling losses. Note, however, that efficient coupling requires not only matching the mode field diameters, but of the complete mode profiles.

As mentioned above, the strength of fiber nonlinearities is determined by the effective mode area, which is not directly related to the mode field diameter according to the usual definitions.

Bibliography