Editing Guided ray

A '''guided ray''' (also '''bound ray''' or '''trapped ray''') is a [[Ray (optics)|ray]] of light in a [[multi-mode optical fiber]], which is confined by the [[Fiber_optics#Principle_of_operation|core]].

For [[Step-index profile|step index fiber]], light entering the fiber will be guided if it falls within the '''acceptance cone''' of the fiber, that is if it makes an angle with the fiber axis that is less than the '''acceptance angle''',<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-2Z2OMC3j-wC&q=half+acceptance+angle&pg=PA55 |publisher=The Fairmont Press, Inc. |title=Fiber Optic Lighting: A Guide for Specifiers |access-date=14 October 2016 |first= Russell L. |last=DeVeau |date=2000 |isbn=0-88173-325-3}}</ref>

:<math>\theta < \arcsin \left( \sqrt{n_0^2 - n_\mathrm{c}^2} \right)</math> ,

where
:''θ'' is the angle the ray makes with the fiber axis, ''before'' entering the fiber,
:''n''<sub>0</sub> is the [[refractive index]] along the central axis (core) of the fiber, and
:''n''<sub>c</sub> is the refractive index of the cladding.

The quantity <math>\sin \theta</math> is the [[numerical aperture]] of the fiber. The quantity <math>2 \theta</math> is sometimes called the ''total acceptance angle'' of the fiber.

This result can be derived from [[Snell's law]] by considering the [[Critical angle (optics)|critical angle]]. Light that enters the core with an angle below the acceptance angle strikes the core-cladding boundary at an angle above the critical angle, and experiences [[total internal reflection]]. This repeats on every bounce within the fiber core, and so the light is confined to the core. The confinement of light by the fiber can also be described in terms of bound modes or guided modes. This treatment is necessary when considering [[single-mode fiber]], since the ray model does not accurately describe the propagation of light in this type of fiber.

==See also==
*[[Numerical aperture]]
*[[Acceptance angle (solar concentrator)]], same construct for another use

==References==
:* [http://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/fs-1037/dir-017/_2518.htm Federal Standard 1037C]
{{reflist}}

{{FS1037C}}

[[Category:Fiber optics]]