RP Photonics logo
VL logo part of the
Virtual
Library

Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology

Telecom Fibers

previous  |  next  |  feedback

Definition: optical fibers for use in optical fiber communications

Telecom fibers are optical fibers which are used in optical fiber communications. Mainly the following types of telecom fibers are used:

A standard single-mode telecom fiber for the 1.3- or 1.5-μm wavelength region is the SMF-28 of Corning, and there is the enhanced version SMF-28e. The mode field diameter is ∼ 9.2 μm at 1310 nm (effective mode area = 67 μm2), or 10.4 μm at 1550 nm (85 μm2). The single-mode cut-off is at 1260 nm. The Lucent AllWave and the Alcatel ColorLock fibers have quite similar properties.

Other telecom fibers have somewhat modified properties, making them more suitable in certain areas:

ITU Standards for Telecom Fibers

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has developed a number of standards for various types of fibers as used for optical fiber communications. Some of the most important of those standards are listed in Table 1.

Table 1: Important ITU standards concerning telecom fibers.

NameTitle
G.650.1 (06/04)Definitions and test methods for linear, deterministic attributes of single-mode fibre and cable
G.651 (02/98)Characteristics of a 50/125 μm multimode graded index optical fibre cable
G.651.1 (07/07)Characteristics of a 50/125 μm multimode graded index optical fibre cable for the optical access network (pre-published)
G.652 (06/05)Characteristics of a single-mode optical fibre and cable
G.653 (12/06)Characteristics of a dispersion-shifted single-mode optical fibre and cable
G.654 (12/06)Characteristics of a cut-off shifted single-mode optical fibre and cable
G.655 (03/06)Characteristics of a non-zero dispersion-shifted single-mode optical fibre and cable
G.656 (12/06)Characteristics of a fibre and cable with non-zero dispersion for wideband optical transport
G.657 (12/06)Characteristics of a bending loss insensitive single mode optical fibre and cable for the access network

Bibliography

[1]W. A. Gambling, “The rise and rise of optical fibers”, IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 6 (6), 1084 (2000) (an informative review on the development of glass fibers for telecom applications)
[2]Standards of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), see http://www.itu.int/

See also: fibers, single-mode fibers, multimode fibers, silica fibers, optical fiber communications

Categories: communications, fibers and other waveguides


cover of print encyclopedia

Since October 2008, the Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology is also available in the form of a two-volume book. Maybe you would enjoy reading it also in that form! The print version has a carefully designed layout and can be considered a must-have for any institute library, laser research group, or laser company.

You may order the print version via Wiley-VCH.

arrow
Home New articles Spotlight Feedback Advertising
Categories Search Quiz Glossary Page hits
T

This encyclopedia is provided by
RP Photonics Consulting GmbH.

You can get technical consulting from the author, Dr. Rüdiger Paschotta.

EKSMA logo

EKSMA Optics

Supplier of laser components, including optics, laser crystals and optomechanics.

RP Fiber Power 2.0

RP Fiber Power

This software is a powerful tool for designing fiber amplifiers and fiber lasers.
See the comprehensive description!

A.L.S. logo

A.L.S. GmbH

Picosecond laser diodes
<30 ps, 375 – 1600 nm, >1 Wp, single shot – 120 MHz

Onefive logo

Onefive

Low-noise
femtosecond,
picosecond,
and tunable single-frequency lasers for OEM and R&D applications.

Your Advertisement at This Place

will be seen by many thousands of visitors per month. These banners receive far over 100'000 page hits per month. Check the details.