A new approach in analysing an all-fiber phase modulator using a commercial
ly available finite-element software package is presented. A single-mode fi
ber coated with a radially poled piezoelectric unoriented vinylidene fluori
de (73 mol %)/trifluoroethylene (27 mol%) copolymer was successfully modele
d using a two-dimensional axi-symmetric approach. The response of the phase
modulator was determined over a wide frequency range, from 10 Hz to 50 MHz
. Results showed a phase shift of 0.155 rac/V/m in the low-frequency (axial
ly unconstrained) region, and 0.045 rad/V/m in the high-frequency (axially
constrained) region. An excellent agreement exists between the simulation r
esults and experimental measurements.