Abstract
A new theoretical model considering the refraction of the incident light beam by the fibre is suggested to determine the refractive index profile of bent optical fibres. This new model (slabs model) considering the cross section of the bent optical fibre consists of large number of slabs. The slabs model bases on the refraction of the incident beam by the fibre. The refractive index profile of the optical fibre cladding before bending obtained using the automated Fizeau interferometer with the aid of suggested model is compared with other models such as, the homogenous model and the multilayer model to verify the ability of this slab model. The refractive index profile of the bent optical fibre cladding is investigated using this suggested model. vi addition, the new model is used to obtain the induced birefringence and the guiding parameters. The bending radius is recommended to be greater than 7.1 mm for the used optical fibre. The consideration of the refraction increases the accuracy of the results. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.