Chromatic Dispersion Artefacts
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Pulse broadening caused by chromatic dispersion can lead to bit errors in digital communications and limit system performance. This can be a serious issue if it is not measured accurately. NPL can supply calibrated single-mode chromatic dispersion reference artefacts for the 1300 and 1550 nm spectral windows.
The fibre is calibrated for Zero dispersion wavelength (λ0), Dispersion slope at zero dispersion (S0) and Dispersion (D(λ)) at 5 nm intervals over wavelength ranges of 1270 - 1340 nm and 1490 - 1620 nm. Other wavelength ranges can be provided on request, with measurements possible from 1270 to 1640 nm. The fibre can be used for calibrating instruments that measure the chromatic dispersion of optical fibres.
| Measurement Type | Typical Uncertainty |
| Zero dispersion wavelength | ± 0.1 nm |
| Dispersion slope at zero dispersion | ± 1.5 % |
| Dispersion at 5 nm intervals | ± 1.5 % |
Fibre length and wavelength range are usually agreed agreed in advance. Standard single mode fibre is usually supplied in 13 km lengths and dispersion shifted fibre in 12 km lengths. Other lengths can be provided on request.
Fibre types that can be supplied include:
Standard or SMF28 fibre - zero dispersion wavelength around 1310 nm
Dispersion shifted fibre - zero dispersion wavelength around 1550 nm
Non-zero dispersion shifted fibres (NZDS) - zero dispersion wavelength either around 1530 nm or 1570 nm
Dispersion flattened and dispersion compensating fibres
A copy of a typical Calibration Certificate is available to download.
| Single-mode fibre | Zero dispersion wavelength (λ0) | 1301.5 nm ≤ λ0 ≤ 1321.5 nm |
| Zero dispersion slope (S0) | ≤ 0.092 ps/(nm2·km) | |
| Dispersion shifted fibre | Zero dispersion wavelength (λ0) | 1535 nm ≤ λ0 ≤ 1565 nm |
| Zero dispersion slope (S0) | ≤ 0.085 ps/(nm2·km) |