Abstract

Current trends in optical communication networks are forcing reduced tolerances for many optical design parameters. For example, the tighter channel spacing in today’s WDM networks requires increasing numbers of highly frequency-selective components. Because of the large numbers of components involved, the optical properties of each component in the system must be carefully controlled to prevent the entire system from exceeding specified limits. In addition to the increasing numbers of components, today’s optical networks are also operating at higher bit-rates. The shorter pulse durations associated with these higher bit-rates are placing increasingly strict limits on the allowable chromatic dispersion (CD) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in a network.

© 2002 Optical Society of America