Polarization-dependent losses of integrated optical splitters in glass

Abstract

ABSTRACFDuring the last two years investments have been made in order to develop new measurement techniques for the characterization of fiber networks. An important characteristic is the neutrality of polarization dependence losses (PDL). Fiber networks contain beside optical sources and detectors a series of basic components like singlemode fibers (SMF), integrated optical components (IOC) for the subdistribution, wavelength selective components (WDM) and amplifying elements (EDFA). The quality of the optical data between transmitters and receivers and the achieved maximum range are determined essentially by the PDL value.In this report the PDL characteristics of passive splitters (TOC) made by JOT Integrierte Optik GmbH will be described, especially those of NxM splitters. N stands for the entrance port of the splitter and can be 1 or 2. M stands for the exit port of the splitter and can be 2, 4, 8, or 16. Different measuring processes will be described and the achieved measurement results for the PDL will be discussed. In addition to this the different sources of error during the process are described. The achieved results of JOT's NxM splitters have very low PDL values. They are typically smaller than 0.1 d.B what makes them excellently suitable for the construction of long-distance optical communication networks. In the meantime such splitters are valued worldwide by different system suppliers and installed in first optical networks. KEYWORD UST measurement technique, polarization dependent loss (PDL), PDL characteristics, integrated optical components (IOC), passive optical splitters, optical communication networks.