Microbending dependence of phase in single-mode fibers

Area of Science:

• Optical Fiber Communications
• Photonics
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Microbending loss in optical fibers can affect signal integrity.
• Radio-frequency phase shifts are critical parameters in fiber optic systems.
• Understanding these dependencies is vital for high-performance fiber links.

Purpose of the Study:

• To theoretically investigate the relationship between microbending loss and radio-frequency phase shift in single-mode fibers.
• To determine the frequency stability achievable in a prototype fiber link under these conditions.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical modeling of radio-frequency phase shift dependence on microbending loss.
• Simulation using representative source and fiber cable parameters.
• Analysis of frequency stability for a prototype fiber link.

Main Results:

• Established the theoretical dependence of RF phase shift on microbending loss.
• Quantified frequency stability of the prototype fiber link.
• Achieved a frequency stability of approximately 10(-16) for a 10(3) sec averaging time.

Conclusions:

• Microbending loss significantly influences radio-frequency phase shifts in single-mode fibers.
• The prototype fiber link demonstrates high frequency stability, suitable for demanding applications.
• Theoretical insights provide a basis for optimizing fiber optic system design and performance.