Delay distortion characteristics of optical fiber splices

The delay distortion characteristics of optical fiber splices are evaluated. Two 1.35-km graded index fibers with different transmission characteristics were each bisected and spliced together to determine how longitudinal and transverse displacement of fibers in a splice affect the delay distortion characteristics of a transmission path. The transmission characteristics of both the optical source and the fibers used play an important role in determining how delay distortion is affected by splice misalignment. The first fiber exhibited a great deal of mode mixing and a very small increase in delay distortion as the fibers were offset in the splice. In contrast, the second fiber exhibited very little mode mixing, but increased markedly in delay distortion as the fibers in the splice were displaced.