In reference to this KB article, “Single-Mode Fiber Coupling in OpticStudio”.
The receiving fiber is a Single-Mode. A SM fiber has fiber-core size = φ9.0 micron. Therefore, I added a φ9 micron aperture at the Image plane.
This resulted in a drastic drop in Coupling Efficiency: 0.99% to 0.72%. Why is that?
In a Laser fiber-coupling applications, doesn't the laser beam have to couple into the φ9.0μm dia. core? Or is it truly not the case, and the beams are much larger than the fiber core? Please help understand the reason behind this.

Thanks -Asuku