Abstract

Non zero dispersion fibers (NZDF) have been developed due to the need of controlling the dispersion in high bit rate systems. As the bit rate increases, the control of the dispersion becomes more important and even the low dispersion of the NZDF requires compensation. Dispersion compensating fibers (DCF) are the technology used in most systems for broadband dispersion compensation. To a first approximation, dispersion compensation can be achieved if the dispersion of the NZDF and DCF are matched. If better control is needed, the dispersion slopes of the two fibers must be matched as well. This is achieved if the ratio of slope to dispersion (relative dispersion slope, RDS) for the NZDF equals that of the DCF.¹ However, even when the slopes are matched, differences in the second derivative of the dispersion (the curvature) can give imperfect dispersion compensation.

© 2002 Optical Society of America