Cladding-to-core diameter ratio

Frequency spacing or wavelength spacing between
adjacent channels in a wavelength division multiplex
system.

Change in frequency (change in wavelength)
of the laser diode as the result of modulation across
the laser current.

Fiber Bragg grating with different distances between
the reflecting sections. Is suitable for compensating
dispersion.

Pulse spreading in the optical waveguide arising
from differences in the propagation velocity of light
at different wavelengths. Is the dominant type of dispersion
in singlemode fibers and consists of material
and waveguide dispersion.

Wavelength division multiplexing method with channel
spacings of 20 nm.

Light source which emits coherent waves

The central area of an optical fiber which serves
as a waveguide.

Parameter for fibers which states how far the centre
of the fiber core is from the centre of the overall fiber.

Passive, optical component having multiple input
and output ports for combining or dividing optical
power or wavelengths.

The ratio of optical power downstream of a coupling
point to the power upstream from this coupling point.

Loss that occurs when two fibers are joined. There is
a distinction between fiber-related (intrinsic) coupling
losses, which occur owing to various fiber parameters,
and mechanically related (extrinsic) losses, which stem
from the joining technique.

The percentage of power emerging from a certain
output with respect to the total amount of emerging
power in a coupler.

The angle of incidence of a light ray when passing
from one substance with a higher refractive index
into another substance with a lower refractive index,
the angle of refraction being 90°. The critical angle
separates the area of totally reflected rays from
the area of refracted rays, i.e. the portion of rays
guided along the fiber from those rays that are
not guided.

Ratio of the injected power to the power emerging
from the dark input on the same side of a coupler.

Undesirable signals in a communication channel
caused by the overcoupling of other channels.

Shortest wavelength at which the fundamental mode of a fiber is the only mode capable of being propagated. To ensure singlemode operation, the cutoff wavelength must be smaller than the wavelength of the light to be transmitted.

Shortest wavelength at which the fundamental
mode of a fiber is the only mode capable of being
propagated. To ensure singlemode operation, the cutoff
wavelength must be smaller than the wavelength
of the light to be transmitted.