Method of controlling longitudinal properties of optical fiber
First Claim
1. A method of controlling optical characteristics along a length of optical fiber, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) selecting an optical characteristic to be controlled as a function of length along an optical fiber;
b) defining a desired length-dependent value of the selected optical characteristic;
c) measuring the value of the selected optical characteristic of the optical fiber as a function of length;
d) comparing the value determined in step c) to the desired value defined in step b); and
e) performing a refractive index-modifying treatment on the optical fiber, as a function of length, until the measured value of the selected optical characteristic is within a predetermined tolerance limit of the desired length-dependent value of the selected optical characteristic defined in step b).
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Abstract
A method of creating optical fiber to exhibit predetermined length-dependent characteristics (e.g., chromatic dispersion, polarization mode dispersion, cutoff wavelength, birefringence) includes the steps of: characterizing the fiber'"'"'s selected characteristic(s) as a function of length; and performing a “treatment” which modifies the refractive index over the given length to adjust the defined parameter to fall within a defined tolerance window. These steps may be repeated one or more times until the measure of the parameter falls with the defined tolerance limits. The treatment process may include, for example, a low energy actinic radiation exposure, anneal, mechanical strain, DC voltage, plasma application, etc. Indeed, if the treatment process is repeated, a different technique may be used to adjust the refractive index (“different” processes include, for example, modifying the strength/time of a UV exposure, temperatures for annealing, etc.).
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of controlling optical characteristics along a length of optical fiber, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) selecting an optical characteristic to be controlled as a function of length along an optical fiber; b) defining a desired length-dependent value of the selected optical characteristic; c) measuring the value of the selected optical characteristic of the optical fiber as a function of length; d) comparing the value determined in step c) to the desired value defined in step b); and e) performing a refractive index-modifying treatment on the optical fiber, as a function of length, until the measured value of the selected optical characteristic is within a predetermined tolerance limit of the desired length-dependent value of the selected optical characteristic defined in step b). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification