Application in Optical Communications courses of tools for the visualization and numerical calculation of guided waves and dispersion effects in Step-Index Fibres

In this work, several tools are presented as part of a teaching packet developed for the education in optical communications. The tools enable the visualization of different ldquodifficult to understandrdquo concepts related with the propagation of waves in optical step-index fibres. Two tools are used for the numerical calculation and visualization of guided modes and for the illustration of degenerated hybrid modes in step-index fibres. A third tool enables the calculation of the normalized refractive index versus the normalized frequency of guided linearly polarized modes. A fourth tool is used for the visualization of the dispersion effect in optical fibres. The tools have been developed as a support in theoretical classes as well as simulation tools to use in practical sessions.