Losses in optical fiber:

1. Absorption loss,
2. Scattering loss,
3. Dispersion loss,
4. Radiation loss,
5. Coupling loss.

1. Absorption loss:

Absorption loss is related to the material composition and fabrication process of fiber. Absorption loss results in dissipation of some optical power as hear in the fiber cable. Although glass fibers are extremely pure, some impurities still remain as residue after purification. The amount of absorption by these impurities depends on their concentration and light wavelength.

a. Intrinsic absorption Intrinsic absorption in the ultraviolet region is caused by electronic absorption bands. Basically, absorption occurs when a light particle (photon) interacts with an electron and excites it to a higher energy level. The main cause of intrinsic absorption in the infrared region is the characteristic vibration frequency of atomic bonds. In silica glass, absorption is caused by the vibration of silicon-oxygen (Si-O) bonds. The interaction between the vibrating bond and the electromagnetic field of the optical signal causes intrinsic absorption. Light energy is transferred from the electromagnetic field to the bond.

b. Extrinsic absorption

Extrinsic absorption is much more significant than intrinsic Caused by impurities introduced into the fiber material during manufacture – Iron, nickel, and chromium Caused by transition of metal ions to higher energy level Modern fabrication techniques can reduce impurity levels below 1 part in 1010. For some of the more common metallic impurities in silica fibre the table shows the peak attenuation wavelength and the attenuation caused by an impurity concentration of 1 in 109

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Radiative losses:

Radiative losses also called bending losses, occur when the fibre is curved. There are two types of radiative losses: Micro bending losses. Macro bending losses.

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Scattering loss:

Basically, scattering losses are caused by the interaction of light with density fluctuations within a fiber. Density changes are produced when optical fibers are manufactured.

• Linear Scattering Losses: Linear scattering occurs when optical energy is transferred from the dominant mode of operation to adjacent modes. It is proportional to the input optical power injected into the dominant mode. o Linear scattering is divided into two categories: Mie scattering and Rayleigh scattering.
• Non- Linear Scattering Losses: Scattering loss in a fiber also occurs due to fiber non-linearity’s i.e. if the optical power at the output of the fiber does not change proportionately with the power change at the input of the fiber, the optical fiber is said to be operating in the non-linear mode. Non- Linear scattering is divided into two categories: Stimulated Raman Scattering and Stimulated Brillouin Scattering.

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Dispersion loss:

Dispersion is a measure of the temporal spreading that occurs when a light pulse propagates through an optical fiber. Dispersion is sometimes referred to as delay distortion in the sense that the propagation time delay causes the pulse to broaden.