Orthonormal polynomials in analysis of single-mode fiber coupling

Zernike polynomials have been widely used for wave-front analysis because of their orthogonality over a uniform circular pupil. However, the pupil is not uniform but weighted by the backpropagated fiber mode in analyzing fiber coupling efficiency. Zernike polynomials are not appropriate for a weighted pupil due to their lack of orthogonality over such pupil. We emphasize the advantages of using orthonormal polynomials in fiber coupling systems. The orthonormal polynomials over weighted pupil are derived by matrix approach. The effects of primary aberrations are investigated based on the orthonormal polynomials. The accuracy of the Strehl ratio approximation for primary aberrations is evaluated.