MODAL INTERFERENCE IN A SHORT FIBER SECTION - FIBER LENGTH, SPLICE LOSS, CUTOFF, AND WAVELENGTH DEPENDENCES

When a short fiber section is inserted within a fiber link, it is known that modal interference can create periodic oscillations in the wavelength dependence of the insertion loss and, accordingly, the insertion loss can exceed the sum of the interconnection losses (in decibels). This modal interference phenomenon is a potential cause of noise in telecommunication transmission systems. Experimental and theoretical investigations were performed in order to better understand its dependences on relevant fiber parameters and to generate engineering guidelines to minimize it in a telecommunication link.