Reliabilty of Graded-Index Polymer Optical Fibers

Abstract

AbstractNewly developed low loss, graded-index polymer optical fibers (GI-POF) are being investigated as high bandwidth media for data transmission in local area networks and for interconnection of large telecommunications and computer systems. These fibers are fabricated by distributing refractive index-raising dopants to form a core profile in a transparent glassy polymer fiber. The long term reliability of the GI-POF depends upon the degree to which the dopant remains immobilized in the polymer glass in service environments. This paper presents a method for assessing the diffusion kinetics of dopants in polymer optical fibers and for relating these measurements to GI-POF profile stability through numerical simulation. Simulated and measured index profile changes are compared to validate the approach.