[UPSC IFoS 2015] Polarisation and Modern Optics (Q376, 15M)

Explain the refractive index distribution for a graded index optical fiber given as \begin{aligned} n^2(r) &= n_1^2 \left[ 1 - 2\delta \left( \frac{r}{a} \right)^q \right], & r < a \\ &= n_1^2 [1 - 2\delta] = n_2^2, & r > a \end{aligned} with usual meaning of symbols. Sketch and name the above profiles with justification for q = 1, 2 and \infty.