New calculations for coupling laser diode to multimode fiber

A simple and useful method is presented for calculating characteristics of a laser diode to a multimode fiber coupling. Attenuation of higher order modes in multimode fiber is introduced into ray tracing. Maximum coupling efficiencies and misalignment tolerances of optical circuit components are computed for utilization of a relatively large spherical lens and combination of two relatively large spherical lenses. It is clarified that attenuation of higher order modes strongly affects both maximum coupling efficiency and misalignment tolerances. Agreement between theoretical and experimental coupling characteristics is greatly improved compared with the case for conventional ray tracing.