New generation of dispersion-flattened single-mode fibers

Abstract

For the first time a dispersion-flattened single-mode fiber has been manufactured which has chromatic dispersion zeros both at wavelengths of 1.3 and 1.55 μm. Present standard-type single-mode fibers are designed for either of these wavelengths and the new fiber is compatible to both of them. In contrast to other fiber refractive index profile optimization routines a new theory for continuous profiles has been used for the fiber design. Thus, interesting and important modifications of the conventional structures of dispersion-flattened single-mode fibers have been developed. For the profile realization a method is required which allows for the continuous variation of the refractive index over the fiber cross section. With the plasma impulse chemical vapor deposition a satisfactory reproduction of the theoretical proposals is possible. Various fibers have been manufactured which showed exactly the intended chromatic dispersion. These fibers were called CP2 (compatible, continuous profile).