SMF allows for a higher capacity to transmit information because it can retain the fidelity of each light pulse over longer distances, and it exhibits no dispersion caused by multiple modes. SMF also enjoys lower fiber attenuation than multimode fiber. Thus, more information can be transmitted per unit of time. Therefore SMF is used widely wherever long transmission distances are needed. Although SMF is free of multi-mode dispersion, chromatic dispersion is still present, particularly in higher data rates and number of Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) channels.

INNOVATION:  UCLA Engineers have developed a tunable dispersion device that attains high dispersion, low dispersion slope, and low loss performance by chromatically dispersing a light wave and creating modal dispersion of the dispersed light with a multimode waveguide. The results and implementation of this device are demonstrated through the use of the Zemax® optical design program. The present invention makes use of the chromatic dispersion of a diffraction grating and the modal dispersion of a waveguide to maximize and control the dispersion value, while minimizing higher-order dispersive effects, i.e. a chromomodal dispersion device. The device was tested in three versions: one completely free space version, and two versions in which a waveguide (glass and silicon) is used.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• This technology can be used to compensate for dispersion in fiber optic links or to intentionally disperse an optical waveform.

ADVANTAGES

• This technology provides 100-1000X higher dispersion per unit length than the current state-of-the-art (Dispersion Compensating Fiber).
• Much lower dispersion slope.

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:  A prototype unit has been designed using an industry standard computer simulation tool and its performance has been verified through simulations.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2005-099

PCT Publication Number: PCT/US05/032126