The modal noise and distortion caused by a longitudinal gap between two multimode parabolic-index fibers are discussed and quantified by means of modal analysis. It is found that, for coherent illumination and a given loss, the modal noise and distortion due to a gap are generally as severe as or worse than those due to an axial offset between two fibers. It is also shown that, when a partially coherent source is used, the transmission characteristics of a gap can be improved by increasing the operating wavelength. Experimental results have been obtained for modal distortion and are shown to be in close agreement with the theory.

© 1984 Optical Society of America

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