Evaluation of High-power Endurance in Optical Fiber Links

Abstract

The capacity of optical communications networks has increased rapidly in the ABSTRACT past several years with the introduction of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology, and optical power in the optical fiber link has risen accordingly. However, when optical power rises, system reliability suffers, with problems like damage to the fiber or optical components, safety of the human body, etc. This paper reports experimental data gathered on three problems generated by high optical power in optical communications, i.e., damage to the connector endface, the phenomenon known as fiber fuse, and damage to the fiber coating. 1.