Reliability of Semiconductor Lasers and Detectors for Undersea Transmission Systems

Subthreshold flaws and their failure prediction in long-distance optical fiber cables

“…This approach cannot specifically insure against hostile environments, particularly hot or acidic aqueous contact which may promote premature "pop-in" of cracks. Design philosophies which can minimize this threat are to: 1) aim for [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] year targets in all applications, 2) use only the conservative n = 19 for subthreshold decay for the whole period, 3) simulate where possible the worst-case environment in conducting prooftests, extending the duration of the test where possible to promote crack formation.…”

“…This result is equivalent to that of [21], but is here derived with minimal dependence on fatigue theory, making use instead of empirical data and the equivalence of the fatigue processes in the field and in the prooftest. It is worth noting similarities between this approach and that employed for many other components, particularly optoelectronic ones, used in long haul systems [23]. The uncertain nature of failure mechanisms and the need to accumulate large volumes of test data is common to both.…”

Recent advances in submarine optical fiber cable transmission systems in Japan

“…The countermeasures for minimizing both wear-out mode and random failure mode establish the reliability assurance system for laser diodes applicable to submarine transmission systems [42].…”