New Designs Increase Functionality of Specialty Fiber

Specialty optical fibers have been key elements in WDM components and modules. Advanced fiber designs will further improve component performance, enhance reliability, simplify manufacturing processes and reduce material costs. While the use of specialty optical fiber is widespread throughout the communications industry, component developers often overlook it as an enabling technology. Unlike standard, single-mode transmission fibers, specialty optical fiber is custom-designed for specific applications and has been integral to the development of devices such as couplers and optical amplifiers.