AU778609B2 - Dispersion equalization optical fiber and optical transmission line including the same - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Invention Title: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.

TSUKITANI, Masao SASAOKA, Eisuke TANAKA, Shigeru DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000 Dispersion equalization optical fiber and optical transmission line including the same The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us.

QAOPER\ARL U1N\228275 173DOC 28/6/02

DESCRIPTION

Dispersion-Equalizing Optical Fiber and Optical Transmission Line Including the Same The present invent-ion relates to an optical fiber applicable to large-capacity, high-speed WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) optical transmission systems; and an optical transmission line including the same.

A WDM optical transmission system enables large-capacity, high-speed optical communications since a plurality of signal lights (hereinafter referred to as WDM signals) in a 1.5-g/m wavelength band (1500 nm to 1600 nm) propagate therethrough by way of a network of optical fiber transmission lines. In general, this optical transmission system comprises an optical amplifier for optically amplifying the WDM signals together, and the like in addition to optical fiber transmission lines which are a transmission medium. In such WDM communications, various techniques are under study in order to enable further larger capacity and higher speed.

How to reduce the dispersion and dispersion slope has been an important subject for study with respect to optical transmission lines. It is because of the fact that, though being monochromatic, each signal light propagating through an optical transmission line has a predetermined bandwidth, whereby the signal light sent out from a transmitting station may deform its waveform when reaching a receiving station by way of the optical transmission line, thus deteriorating its reception.

For securing the quality of an optical transmission line, it is desirable that the dispersion of the optical transmission line in its signal light wavelength band be as small as possible. For realizing larger-capacity communications, on the other hand, it is necessary for the optical transmission line to suppress the dispersion in a wavelength band as wide as possible, and it is desirable that the dispersion slope of the optical transmission line be as small as possible. Therefore, dispersion-flattened optical fibers in which both the dispersion and dispersion slope are substantially zero in the 1.5-/Lm wavelength band have conventionally been studied for use as an optical transmission line. Here, the dispersion slope refers to the gradient of a graph indicating the wavelength dependence of dispersion.

As a result of studies concerning the above-mentioned conventional techniques, the inventors have found the following problems.

Namely, as compared with typical single-mode optical fibers having a zero-dispersion wavelength near a wavelength of 1.3 Ium, the wavelength band dispersion-flattened optical fibers tend to have a greater optical energy per unit cross-sectional area since their effective area is smaller, though yielding a smaller dispersion in the 1. band. It means that nonlinear optical phenomena (four-wave mixing in particular) are relatively easily occur in the dispersion-flattened optical fibers. On the other hand, in an optical transmission system employing a dispersion-flattened optical fiber as an optical transmission line, it is necessary to reduce the power of signal light sent out from its transmitting station or repeater station, whereby the repeater spacing is inevitably shortened. It means that the number of stations to be installed would increase, whereby the optical transmission system to be realized becomes more expensive.

The optical transmission system employing a single-mode optical fiber as its optical transmission line and comprising a dispersion-compensating module for compensating for the dispersion of the optical transmission line is designed such that both the dispersion and dispersion slope are substantially zero in the 1.5-am wavelength band.

Also, as the dispersion-compensating module, one having a negativedispersion in the 1 .5-/mmwavelengthband is employed.

Since the dispersion-compensating module is desired to have a smaller size, the dispersion-compensating fiber to be employed in the dispersion-compensating module is required to be designed to yield large absolute values of both dispersion and dispersion slope so that the dispersion of the whole optical transmission line can be compensated for by a short length of the dispersion-compensating fiber.

Therefore, the effective area of the dispersion-compensating optical fiber is very small. Since the dispersion-compensating fiber is wound like a coil having a diameter on the order of 50 to 100 mm, how to reduce its bending loss is an important technical issue in such a dispersion-compensating fiber. Here, since the dispersion-compensating fiber employed in the dispersion-compensating module has a large dispersion value, it cannot be utilized as a main line though it constitutes a part of the optical transmission line.

In the following, an optical fiber for reducing dispersion and the dispersion slope in an optical as 20 transmission as a whole will be referred to as a "dispersion-equalizing optical fiber".

P.%)PERI\2528275 spc div.do.28/09/04 According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber constituting a part of an optical transmission line: wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber comprises a core extending along a predetermined axis, a depressed region provided on the outer periphery of said core, and an outer cladding provided on the outer periphery of said depressed region; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has a dispersion D (unit: ps/nm/km) and a dispersion slope S (unit: ps/nm 2 /km) satisfying the following conditions: -57 D -28.5 0.0050 x D S 0.0025 x D at a wavelength of 1.55 tim; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 p.m, an effective area of 15 tim 2 or more, and a bending loss of 50 dB/m or less when wound at a diameter of 20 mm; wherein said depressed region has a refractive index lower than those of both said 15 core and said outer cladding; and i: wherein a ratio Ra of an outer diameter of said core with respect to that of said depressed region is greater than 0.4.

Another aspect of the invention provides a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 20 constituting a part of an optical transmission line, said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber comprising: a core extending along a predetermined axis, said core having a predetermined refractive index; a depressed region provided on the outer periphery of said core, said depressed region having a refractive index lower than that of said core; and an outer cladding provided on the outer periphery of said depressed region, said outer cladding having a refractive index higher than that of said depressed region; said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber having a dispersion D (unit: ps/nm/km) and a dispersion slope S (unit: ps/nm 2 /km) satisfying the following conditions: -57 D -28.5 P.OPERkAI2528275 spe div.doc-2109/04 0.0050 x D S 0.0025 x D at a wavelength of 1.55 tm; said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber having, at the wavelength of 1.55 gim, an effective area of 17 lim 2 or more; and a ratio Ra of an outer diameter of said core with respect to that of said depressed region being greater than 0.4.

A further aspect of the invention provides a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber constituting a part of an optical transmission line: wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber comprises a core extending along a predetermined axis, a depressed region provided on the outer periphery of said core, and an outer cladding provided on the outer periphery of said depressed region; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has a dispersion D (unit: ps/nm/km) and a dispersion slope S (unit: ps/nm 2 /km) satisfying the following conditions: i 15 -57< D _-28.5 0.0050 x D 5 S <0.0025 x D *at a wavelength of 1.55 lm; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 lm, an effective area of 19 jm 2 or more, and a bending loss of 50 dB/m or less when wound at a diameter of20 mm; wherein said depressed region has a refractive index lower than those of both said core and said outer cladding; and wherein a ratio Ra of an outer diameter of said core with respect to that of said depressed region is greater than 0.4.

A further aspect of the invention provides a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber constituting a part of an optical transmission line; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber comprises a core region extending along a predetermined axis, and a cladding region provided on the outer periphery of said core region; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has a dispersion D (unit: P.OPER\Ar\2528275 spe div.dc-21V09/04 ps/nm/km) and a dispersion slope S (unit: ps/nm 2 /km) satisfying the following conditions: -83 D 5 -18 0.0050 x D S 0.0025 x D at a wavelength of 1.55 p/m; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 ,m, an effective area of 15pum 2 or more, and a bending loss of 50 dB/m or less when wound at a diameter of wherein said cladding region comprises an inner cladding, provided on the outer periphery of said core region, having a lower refractive index than said core region; and an outer cladding, provided on the outer periphery of said inner cladding, having a higher refractive index than said inner cladding; wherein a ration Ra of an outer diameter of said core region with respect to that of said inner cladding is greater than 0.4; and wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 um, a polarization mode dispersion of 0.15 ps km /2 or less.

***oo *o *ooo o *Oo The dispersion-equalizing optical fiber preferably has an effective area of 17- im 2 or more,....further preferably 19 jm 2 or more. Here, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 8-248251 (EP 0 724 171 A2), the effective area Aef is given by the following expression Af 2r fE2rdr (Erdr (1) where E is the electric field accompanying the propagating light, and r is the radial distance from the core center.

Since the dispersion D and dispersion slope S at the wavelengthof 1.55 Am satisfy the above-mentioned conditions in this dispersion-equalizing optical fiber, when the ratio between the length of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber and the length of a single-mode optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength in the 1.3-/am wavelength band is appropriately adjusted, the respective absolute values of dispersion and dispersion slope in the whole optical transmission line constituted by the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber and single-mode optical fiber can be minimized (wavelength dependence can be reduced). Since the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has an effective area of 15 _am 2 or more preferably 17 '/m 2 or more, it effectively restrains nonlinear optical phenomena from occurring when disposed downstream from the single-mode optical fiber. For securing a higher transmission quality, it is preferable for the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber to have an S effective area of 19 _m 2 or more. As a consequence of such a configuration, the bending loss of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber becomes 50 dB/m or less, preferably 10 dB/m or less with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 Um when wound at a diameter of 20 mm.

The dispersion-equalizing optical fiber may have a refractive index profile of a depressed cladding structure realized by the above-mentioned core region and a cladding region comprising an inner cladding and an outer cladding. Consequently, the respective values of dispersion, dispersion slope, and effective area can easily be designed so as to satisfy the above-mentioned conditions and ranges. Also, the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber may further comprise an intermediate cladding disposed between the inner cladding and outer cladding. The intermediate cladding has a refractive index higher than that of the outer cladding and lower than that of the core region, and may be disposed in direct contact with the inner cladding or disposed on the outer periphery of the inner cladding by way of another intermediate cladding having a. refractive index lower than that of the former intermediate cladding. In any of these configurations, a refractive index profile of a depressed cladding structure is realized.

In a preferred embodiment of the dispersionequalizing optical fiber according to one aspect of the present invention, the core region has a relative refractive index difference of 0.72% or more but 1.8% or less, preferably 0.9% or more but 1.6% or less, with respect to the cladding region or the outer cladding (in the case of a depressed cladding structure). In such a case, the respective values of dispersion, dispersion slope, and effective area can also easily be designed so as to satisfy the above-mentioned conditions and ranges.

Therefore, with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 ILm, the bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm can easily be made 50 dB/m or less, preferably 10 dB/m or less. For yielding further preferable transmission characteristics, the polarization mode dispersion of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber is 0.15 ps-km-1 2 or less with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 tim.

The bending loss, which becomes a limiting factor for making a module, can be reduced not only by enhancing the effective area as mentioned above, but also by adjusting the fiber diameter, the outside diameter of a coating layer covering the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber, and the like. Specifically, as the fiber diameter increases from a standard of 125 gm, the effect of reducing the bending loss enhances. For securing the flexibility of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber, however, the upper limit of the fiber diameter is preferably 200 Um or less.

On the other hand, when adjusting the outside diameter of the coating layer disposed on the outer periphery of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber, the effect of reducing the bending loss can be obtained if the outside diameter of the coating layer is 235 .m or more. For securing a flexibility suf f icient forconstructing a module, theoutside diameter of the coating layer is preferably 415 /umorless. While a desirablereducingeffectcanbeobtained when one of the fiber diameter and the outside diameter of the coating layer is adjusted, similar effects can also be obtained when these two adjusting methods are combined together. Namely, when reducing the bending loss by increasing the outside diameter of the coating layer, a desirable reducing effect can be obtained even if the fiber diameter is decreased, whereby it will be sufficient if the fiber diameter is 1159m or more.

The optical transmission line according to a preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present invention is a transmission medium disposed between stations for transmitting/receiving data, such as a transmitting station, repeater stations, and a receiving station; and comprises, as viewed in the propagating direction of WDM signals, a single-mode optical fiber, disposed on the upstream side, having a zero-dispersion wavelength near a wavelength of 1.3 Rm, specifically within the range from 1.259m to 1.45 gm, and the above-mentioned dispersion-equalizing optical fiber disposed on the downstream side. In such an optical transmission line, when the length of the single-mode optical fiber and the length of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber are set so as to have an appropriate ratio therebetween, the respective absolute values of the dispersion and dispersion slope in the whole optical transmission line can be minimized. Here, since the line comprising the dispersion-equalizing optical fiberandthesingle-modeopticalfiberallowstobeconnected to a station by way of another single-mode optical fiber such as a dispersion-shifted optical fiber, the total length m ofthedispersion-equalizing optical fiber and single-mode optical fiber preferably satisfies the following condition: 0.9 XL m L whereL is the length of the optical transmission line, i.e., the distance between stations between which the optical transmission line is installed.

In the above-mentioned optical transmission line, since the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber (having an effective area of 15 glm 2 or more) is disposed downstream from the single-mode optical fiber an optical fiber whose core is doped with Ge element), nonlinear optical phenomena are restrained from occurring. In particular, when the transmission loss of this single-mode optical fiber is 3.3 dB or more with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 if the signal light sent out from the transmitting station has such a power that nonlinear optical phenomena do not occur (or do not become problematic if any) in the single-mode optical fiber, then the nonlinear optical phenomena are also sufficiently restrained from occurring in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber located on the downstream side.

Since the dispersion of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber at a wavelength of 1.55 rm is -83 ps/nm/km or more but -18 ps/nm/km or less, and the dispersion of the single-mode optical fiber at the wavelength of 1.55 Um is 17 ps/nm/km, the ratio of the length of the single-mode optical fiber to the length of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber is on the order of 1:1 to 4.9:1. When such an optical transmission line is employed as the transmission line between individual repeaters in a submarine cable, in view of the fact that one span (repeater spacing) of the submarine cable is about 50 km in general, it is necessary for the above-mentioned single-mode optical fiber to have a length of 42 km or less. Further, for effectively suppressing the nonlinear optical phenomena, the upper limit of the ratio of length occupied by the single-mode optical fiber in an optical transmission line is about 73% (36.5 km). At this time, letting the transmission loss of the single-mode optical fiber whose core is doped with Ge element be 0.195 dB/km, the upper limit of the total transmission loss in the single-mode optical fiber is preferably 7.1 dB or less.

On the other hand, the single-mode optical fiber (having a zero-dispersion wavelength near 1.3 pm) forming part of the above-mentioned optical transmission line may be a single-mode optical fiber constituted by a core and a cladding, in which the cladding in particular is doped with F element (whereas the core is made of pure silica).

This optical transmission line is favorable not only in that it can minimize the respective absolute values of total dispersion and dispersion slope, thus restraining nonlinear optical phenomena from occurring, but also in that transmission loss and splice loss are small. In particular, when the transmission loss of this F-doped single-mode optical fiber is 3.0 dB or more with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 aLm, if the signal light sent out from the transmitting station has such a power that nonlinear optical phenomena do not occur (or do not become problematic if any), then the nonlinear optical phenomena are sufficiently restrained from occurring in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber located on the downstream side as well. When its application to a submarine istakenintoconsideration, the single-mode optical fiber having an F-doped cladding is also required to have a length of 42 km or less. Also, for effectivelysuppressingthe nonlinearopticalphenomena, the upper limit of the ratio of length of the single-mode optical fiber in the optical transmission line is preferably about 73% (36.5 km); and, letting the transmission loss of the F-doped single-mode optical fiber be 0.175 dB/km, the total transmission loss in the F-doped single-mode optical fiber is preferably 6.4 dB or less.

Preferred embodiments of aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, of which: Fig. 1A is a sectional view showing a basic configuration in a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to a first preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, whereas Fig. lB is a chart showing a refractive index profile of the dispersionequalizing optical fiber shown in Fig. 1A; Fig. 2A is a view showing a schematic configuration of an optical transmission line constituted by a single-mode optical fiber and the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber shown in Fig. 1A, Fig. 2B is a graph showing relationships between the ratio of length of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber to the total length of the optical transmission line shown in Fig. 2A (DEF ratio) and the effective area Aeff of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber, Fig. 2C is a graph showing relationships between the ratio of length of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber to the total length of the optical transmission line shown in Fig. 2A (DEF ratio) and the nonlinear index of the optical transmission line, and Fig. 2D is a graph showing relationships between the ratio of length of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber to the total length of the optical transmission line shown in Fig. 2A (DEF ratio) and the transmission loss of the optical transmission line; Fig. 3 is agraph showingthedispersion D anddispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A' of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 0.72% and -0.44%, respectively; Fig. 4 is a graph showing the dispersionD and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A* of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 0.8% and -0.44%, respectively; Fig. 5 is a graph showing the dispersion D and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A' of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 1.6% and -0.44%, respectively; Fig. 6 is a graph showing the dispersionD and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2bof the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A' of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 1.8% and -0.44%, respectively; Fig. 7 is a graph showing the dispersionD and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A' of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 0.9% and -0.20%, respectively; Fig. 8 is a graph showing the dispersionD and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A' of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 0.9% and -0.60%, respectively; Fig. 9 is a graph showing the dispersionD and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A' of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 0.9% and -0.44%, respectively; Fig. 10A is a chart showing the refractive index profile of a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to a second preferred embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, whereas Fig. 10B is a chart showing the refractive index profile of a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to a third preferred embodiment of this aspect of the present invention; Fig. 11A is a sectional view showing a basic configuration in first embodiment of a single-mode optical fiber disposed on the upstream side of the optical transmission line, whereas Fig. 11B is a chart showing a refractive index profile of the single-mode optical fiber shown in Fig. 11A; Fig. 12 is a graph showing relationships between the effective area Aeff and bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm concerning a plurality of samples in which their respective coating layers have different outside diameters; Fig. 13A is a table showing manufacturing parameters of a plurality of samples having different fiber diameters, whereas Fig. 13B is a graph showing the measured relationship between the fiber diameter and the bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm concerning the samples shown in Fig. 13A; Fig. 14 is a graph showing the dispersion and dispersion slope concerning each of a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to the present invention, single-mode optical fibers, and dispersion-compensating optical fibers; and Fig. 15A is a view showing the configuration of an optical transmission line according to a first preferred embodiment of another aspect of the present invention, whereas Fig. 15B is a view showing the configuration of an optical transmission line according to a second preferred embodiment of this other aspect of the present invention.

In the following, embodiments of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to the present invention and the optical transmission line including the same will be explained with reference to Figs. 1A to 2D, 3 to 9, 10A to 11iB, 12, 13A and 13B, 14, and 15A and Among the drawings, constituents identical to each other will be referred to with numerals or letters identical to each other without repeating their overlapping explanations.

First, the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to a first preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present invention has a dispersion D (unit: ps/nm/km) and a dispersion slope S (unit: ps/nm 2 /km) satisfying the following conditions: -83 D -18 (2) 0.0050 X D S 0.0025 X D (3) at a wavelength of 1.55 um. As a consequence, both the dispersion and dispersion slope become substantially zero in an optical transmission line constituted by this dispersion-equalizing optical fiber and a single-mode optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength near a wavelength of 1.3 9m, specifically within the range of 1.25 ,um or more but 1.45 /im or less. Since the line comprising the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber and the single-mode optical fiber allows to be connected to a station by way of another single-mode optical fiber such as a dispersion-shifted optical fiber, the total length m of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber and the above-mentioned single-mode optical fiber satisfies the condition of 0.9 X L<m L, whereL is the lengthof theopticaltransmission line, the distance between stations between which the optical transmission line is installed. At this time, it will be sufficient if the ratio of length of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber to the whole length of the optical transmission line is about 50% or less. From the viewpoint of reducing the ratio of length of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber to the whole length of the optical transmission line, it is preferable for the dispersion D to be smaller (to be a negative number with a greater absolute value). However, when the dispersion D is smaller, then it becomes necessary to enhance the refractive index of the core region in terms of design, whereby its nonlinear refractive index increases together with transmission loss. Therefore, the lower limit of dispersion D is preferably about -83 ps/nm/km.

The effective area of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to this embodiment is 15 m 2 or more, preferably 17 m 2 or more, further preferably 19,m 2 or more.

Such a configuration makes it possible to realize a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber in which the dispersion D and dispersion slope S at a wavelength of 1.55 ZUm satisfy the above-mentioned expressions and whereas the bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm is 50 dB/m or less, preferably 10 dB/mor less. Fromtheviewpoint of restraining nonlinear optical phenomena from occurring, it is preferable for the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber to have a larger effective area. For yielding further preferable transmission characteristics, the polarization mode dispersion of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber is 0.15ps "km-2 or less with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 /Lm.

Fig. 1A is a view showing a cross-sectional structure in the first preferred embodiment, whereas Fig. 1B is a chart showing a refractive index profile of the first preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1A.

As shown in Fig. 1A, the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 100 according to the first embodiment is a single-mode optical fiber, mainly composed of silica glass, having a diameter (fiber diameter) DAl, whereas a coating layer 130 having an outside diameter DA2 is disposed on the outer periphery thereof. This dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 100 comprises a core region 110 which is a region extending along a predetermined axis and has a refractive index nl and an outside diameter 2a, and a cladding region 120 disposed on the outer periphery of the core region 110.

The cladding region 120 comprises an inner cladding 121 which is a region disposed on the outer periphery of the core region 110 and has an outside diameter 2b and a refractive index n 2 lower than that of the core region 110; and an outer cladding 122 which is a region disposed on the outer periphery of the inner cladding 121 and has a refractive index n 3 higher than that of the inner cladding 121 and lower than that of the core region 110.

The abscissa of the refractive index profile 150 shown in Fig. lB corresponds to individual positions along the line L in Fig. 1A on a cross section perpendicular to the center axis of the core region 110. Therefore, in the refractive index profile 150 of Fig. IB, regions 151, 152, and 153 indicate the respective refractive indices at individual positions on the line L of the core region 110, inner cladding 121, and outer cladding 122.

The refractive index profile 150 of such a depressed cladding structure can be realized, for example, by doping the core region 110 with Ge element and doping the inner cladding 121 with F element. On the other hand, the relative refractive index difference A+ of the core region 110 with respect to the outer cladding 122 and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding region 121 with respect to the outer cladding 122 are defined as follows: a n3)/n3 (n 2 n 3 )/n 3 where n 1 is the refractive index of the core region 110, n 2 is the refractive index of the inner cladding 121, and n 3 is the refractive index of the outer cladding 122. In this specification, the relative refractive index difference A is expressed in terms of percentage, and the respective refractive indices of individual regions in each defining expression may be arranged in any order. Therefore, A having a negative value indicates that the refractive index of its corresponding region is lower than that of the outer cladding 122, and is expressed by A- in this specification (a positive value of A is expressed by The relationship between the effect of suppressing nonlinear optical phenomena in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to the present invention and its effective area will now be explained with reference to Figs.

2A to 2D. First, nonlinear index A0, as an index for quantitatively expressing nonlinear characteristics, is defined by the value obtained when the degree of modulation by self-phase modulation (SPM) is integrated over the whole optical transmission line as shown in the following expression AO xk Po xk (4) where L is the fiber length, A is the incident light wavelength, N 2 is the nonlinear refractive index, Aeff is the effective area, and Po is the incident light power (determined so as to attain a constant optical power at the exit end).

Also, coefficient k is determined such that the nonlinear index A 0 becomes 1 when an optical transmission line having a length of 50 km is constituted solely by a single-mode optical fiber whose cladding is doped with F element. The refractive index N of a medium under strong light varies depending on the light intensity as mentioned above.

Therefore, the lowest-order effect with respect to this refractive index N is expressed as indicated by the following expression N No N 2 "P/Aeff where No is the refractive index with respect to linear polarization, N 2 is the nonlinear refractive index with respect to the third-order nonlinear polarization, P is the optical power, and Aeff is the effective area. Under strong light, the refractive index of the medium is given by the sum of the normal value No and an increase proportional to the square of the photoelectric field amplitude E. In particular, the constant of proportion N 2 (unit: m2/W) in the second term is referred to as the second-order nonlinear refractive index. Sincethedistortionof signal lightpulse is mainly influenced by the second-order nonlinear refractive index among nonlinear refractive indices, the nonlinear refractive index in this specification mainly refers to the second-order nonlinear refractive index.

Figs. 2B to 2D are graphs showing the effective area, nonlinear index, and transmission loss, respectively terms of the DEF ratios in optical transmission lines in which, as viewed in the propagating direction of signal light, a single-mode optical fiber 200 is disposed on the upstream side, whereas the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 100 having the refractive index profile shown in Fig. 1B is disposed on the downstream side, as shown in Fig. 2A. These graphs show the results calculated on the condition that the dispersion and dispersion slope of the whole transmission lines at 1.55 Am is 0 ps/nm/km and 0 ps/nm /km, respectively, and the bending loss measured at a bending diameter of mm is 1 dB/m. Here, the single-mode optical fiber 200 comprises a core 210 and a cladding 220, whereas the cladding 220 may be doped with F element or the like in order to yield a difference in refractive index between the core 210 and the cladding 220. The DEF ratio refers to the ratio of length of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 100 to the total length of an optical transmission line, such as that shown in Fig. 2A, constituted by the single-mode optical fiber 200 and the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 100.

In Fig. 2B, curve GI00 indicates the relationship between the DEF ratio and the effective area when A' is varied while A- is fixed at curve G200 indicates the relationship between the DEF ratio and the effective area when A* is varied while A- is fixed at and curve G300 indicates the relationship between the DEF ratio and the effective area when A' is varied while A is fixed at In Fig. 2C, curve GI00 indicates the relationship between the DEF ratio and the nonlinear index when A' is varied while A- is fixed at curve G200 indicates the relationship between the DEF ratio and the nonlinear index when A' is varied while A- is fixed at and curve G300 indicates the relationship between the DEF ratio and the nonlinear index when A' is variedwhile A- is fixed at Further, in Fig. 2D, curve G100 indicates the relationship between the DEF ratio and the transmission loss when A is varied while A- is fixed at curve G200 indicates the relationship between the DEF ratio and the transmission loss when A' is varied while A- is fixed at and curve G300 indicates the relationship between the DEF ratio and the transmission loss when A' is varied while A- is fixed at Also, in each of Figs. 2B to 2D, points P1, P2, P3, and P4 in each of curves GI00, G200, and G300 indicate values obtained when A+is and respectively.

As can be seen from Fig. 2B, the effective area Aff monotonously increases as the DEF ratio becomes greater.

On the other hand, as can be seen from Figs. 2C and 2D, both of nonlinear index and transmission loss attain their minimum values within the range where the DEF ratio is 25% to In view of these facts, in order to attain a design yielding a smaller nonlinear index, it is necessary for the effective area Aeff to be 15 Im 2 or more, preferably 17 gm 2 or more, further preferably 19 JIm 2 or more.

Also, the inventors prepared samples in which, in the refractive index profile 150 shown in Fig. iB, the relative refractive index difference A' of the core region 110 and relative refractive index difference A of the inner cladding 121 with reference to the refractive index n 3 of the outer cladding 122, the outside diameter 2a of the core region 110, and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region 110 to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding 121 were varied; and determined the dispersion D and dispersion slope S in each of these samples by calculation.

Examples of the calculated results are shown in Figs. 3 to 9.

Figs. 3 to 9 are graphs showing the dispersion D and dispersion slope S for individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region 110 and Ra 2a/2b). Fig.

3 is a graph showing the dispersion D and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A+ of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 0.72% and respectively. Fig.

4 is a graph showing the dispersion D and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A' of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 0.8% and respectively. Fig.

is a graph showing the dispersion D and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A' of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 1.6% and respectively. Fig.

6 is a graph showing the dispersion D and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A+ of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 1.8% and respectively. Fig.

7 is a graph showing the dispersion D and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A+ of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 0.9% and respectively. Fig.

8 is a graph showing the dispersion D and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference A+ of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 0.9% and respectively. Fig.

9 is a graph showing the dispersion D and dispersion slope S with respect to individual values of the outside diameter 2a of the core region and the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding when the relative refractive index difference a+ of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding are 0.9% and respectively. These graphs also show contour lines indicating the effective area Aeff and the bending loss of 50 dB/m at a diameter of 20 mm.

Also, the ranges of dispersion D and dispersion slope S satisfying the above-mentioned expressions and are indicated by broken lines.

As can be seen from these graphs, in the case where the relative refractive indexdifference A of thecoreregion 110 with respect to the outer cladding 122 is 0.72% while the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding 121 with respect to the outer cladding 122 is fixed at -0.44% (Fig. the bending loss becomes 50 dB/m or less in a small area within the ranges of dispersion D and dispersion slope S satisfying the above-mentioned expressions and In the case where A -0.44% and A 0.8% (Fig. 4), the effective area Aeff is 15 /m 2 or more while the bending loss is 50 dB/m or less in a partial area (hatched area in Fig. 4) within the ranges of dispersion D and dispersion slope S satisfying the above-mentioned expressions and The conditions under which the dispersion D and dispersion slope S are set within this partial area are, for example, Ra 0.63 while 2a 5.67 I/m, Ra 0.60 while 2a 5.64 Uim, and the like.

Also, inthecasewhere A and A 1.

6 (Fig.

the effective area Aeff is 15 /m2 or more while the bending loss is 50 dB/m or less in a partial area (hatched area in Fig. 5) within the ranges of dispersion D and dispersion slope S satisfying the above-mentioned expressions and The conditions under which the dispersion D and dispersion slope S are set within this partial area are, for example, Ra 0.45 while 2a 3.46 /Lm, and the like.

Also, inthecasewhere -0.44% and 1.

8 (Fig.

the effective area Aeff is 15 /Lm 2 or more while the bending loss is 50 dB/m or less in a partial area (hatched area in Fig. 6) within the ranges of dispersion D and dispersion slope S satisfying the above-mentioned expressions and In the case where the relative refractive index difference A of the core region 110 with respect to the outer cladding 122 is fixed at 0.9% while the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding 121 with respect to the outer cladding 122 is -0.60% to -0.20% (Figs. 7 to the effective area Aeff is 15 j/m 2 or more while the bending loss is 50 dB/m or less in a partial area (hatched area in each graph) within the ranges of dispersion D and dispersion slope S satisfying the above-mentioned expressions and However, the position and size of this area is not greatly influenced by the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding 121 with respect to the outer cladding 122. Here, the conditions under which the dispersion D and dispersion slope S are set within this partial area are, for example, Ra 0.65 while 2a 5.72 /um, and the like in the case where

A

0.9% and A- -0.60% (Fig. Also, they are Ra 0.55 while 2a 5.28 JLm, Ra 0.60 while 2a 5.16 /Lm, and the like in the case where A* 0.9% and A- -0.44% (Fig. for example.

In addition to the above-mentioned examples of calculations, further examples of calculations in which the relative refractive index difference A' of the core region 110 with respect to the outer cladding 122 and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding 121 with respect to the outer cladding 122 are varied have clarified that the effective area is 17 tUm 2 or more while the bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm is 50 dB/m or less if A' is 0.72% or more but 1.6% or less within the ranges where the dispersion D and dispersion slope S satisfy the above-mentioned expressions and Further, it has been found that, whenA is 0.72% or more but 1.8% or less, the effective area is 15 m 2 or more while the bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm is 50 dB/m or less.

Here, as mentioned above, Figs. 5, 6, and 9 are graphs showing the dispersion D and dispersion slope S with respect to the outside diameter 2a of the core region 110 and Ra 2a/2b), in which Fig. 5 indicates the case where A+ 1.6% andA- Fig. 6 indicates the case where A+ 1.8% andA- and Fig. 9 indicates the case where A+ 0.9% andA- These graphs show not only individual contour lines of the effective area Aff and the bending loss of 50 dB/m at a diameter of 20 mm but also the contour line of bending loss of 10 dB/m at a diameter of mm. Also, the ranges of dispersion D and dispersion slope S satisfying the above-mentioned expressions and (3) are indicated by broken lines.

As can be seen from these graphs, in the respective cases where A' is and 1.8% while A- is fixed at -0.44% (Figs. 5, 6, and the effective area Aeff is 2 or more while the bending loss is 10 dB/m or less in a partial area (hatched area in each graph) within the ranges of dispersion D and dispersion slope S satisfying the above-mentioned expressions and The conditions under which the dispersion D and dispersion slope S are set within this partial area are, for example, Ra 0.45 while 2a 3.46 Im, and the like in the case where A 1.6% and A- -0.44% (Fig. and Ra 0.60 while 2a 5.43 gim, and the like in the case where A+ 0.9% and A- -0.44% (Fig. 9).

In calculations in which the settings of A+ and Aare varied, if A' is 0.9% or more but 1.6% or less within the ranges of dispersion D and dispersion slope S satisfying the above-mentioned expressions and then the effective area is 17 gim 2 or more while the bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm is 10 dB/m or less. Also, if A+ is 0.9% or more but 1.8% or less, then the effective area becomes /im 2 or more while the bending loss at a diameter of mm is 10 dB/m or less. Consequently, setting A within this range is preferable in that the bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm becomes 10 dB/m or less.

Though the foregoing explanations relate to the P OPER Al, I.lpe doc. I 1 01 -33 dispersion-equalizing optical fiber having the refractive index profile 150 shown in Fig. 1B as the first embodiment, the refractive index profile of the dispersion-equalizing optical fibers according to this aspect of the present invention is not limited to that shown in Fig.

I B. For example, one or more intermediate claddings may be disposed between the inner cladding 121 and the outer cladding 122 in the cladding region 120. Figs. 10A and show the respective refractive index profiles of second and third preferred embodiments of this aspect of the present invention. The refractive index profile 250 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 10A comprises a depressed cladding structure. In the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber having this refractive index profile 250, with reference to the cross-sectional structure of Fig. IA, an intermediate cladding having a refractive index higher than that of the outer cladding 122 but lower than that of the core region 110 is disposed in direct contact with the outer periphery of the inner cladding 121. The refractive index profile 350 of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 10B comprises a depressed cladding structure. In the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber having this refractive index profile 350, an intermediate cladding having a refractive index substantially identical to that of the outer cladding 122 is further disposed between the inner cladding 121 and the intermediate cladding in the second embodiment.

The abscissa of the refractive index profile 250 shown in Fig. 10A corresponds to individual positions along the line L in Fig. IA on a cross section perpendicular to the center axis of the core region 110. In the refractive index profile 250 of Fig. 10A, with reference to Fig. 1A, regions 251, 252, 253, and 254 indicate the respective refractive indices at individual positions on the line L of the core region 110, inner cladding 121, intermediate cladding disposed betweenthe innercladding 121 and theoutercladding 122, and outer cladding 122.

Therefore, the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to the second embodiment having the refractive index profile 250 of such a depressed cladding structure comprises a core region having a refractive index nl and an outside diameter 2a; an inner cladding which is a region disposed on the outer periphery of the core region and has an outside diameter 2b and a refractive index n 2 nl); an intermediate cladding which is a region disposed on the outer periphery of the inner cladding and has an outside diameter 2d and a refractive index n 4 nl, n 2 and an outer cladding which is a region disposed on the outer periphery of the intermediate cladding and has an outside diameter (corresponding to the fiber diameter) DAI and a refractive index n 3 n 4 n 2 A coating layer is also disposed on the outer periphery of the outer cladding in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to the second embodiment.

In the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to the second embodiment, when 2a 4.98 ILm, 2a/2b 0.52, 2b/2d 0.27, A 1 A- and A 2 0.07%, for example, its dispersion and dispersion slope are- 27 ps/nm/km and -0.1 ps/nm 2 /km, respectively, at a wavelength of 1.55 gm, thus satisfying the above-mentioned expressions and Also, at a wavelength of 1.55 um, the bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm is 0.41 dB/m, whereas the effective area is 25.94 m 2 The abscissa of the refractive index profile 350 shown in Fig. 10B corresponds to individual positions along the line L in Fig. 1A on a cross section perpendicular to the center axis of the core region 110. Therefore, in the refractive index profile 350 of Fig. 10B, with reference to Fig. 1A again in the third embodiment, regions 351, 352, 353, 354, and 355 indicate the respective refractive indices at individual positions on the line L of the core region 110, innercladding 121, first intermediatecladding disposed between the inner cladding 121 and the outer cladding 122, second intermediate cladding disposed between the first intermediate cladding and the outer cladding 122, and outer cladding 122.

Therefore, the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to the third embodiment having the refractive index profile 350 of such a depressed cladding structure comprises a core region having a refractive index nl and an outside diameter 2a; an inner cladding which is a region disposed on the outer periphery of the core region and has an outside diameter 2b and a refractive index n 2 nj); a first intermediate cladding which is a region disposed on the outer periphery of the inner cladding and has an outside diameter 2c and a refractive index n 3 nl, n 2 a second intermediate cladding which is a region disposed on the outer periphery of the first intermediate cladding and has a refractive index n 4 nl, n 3 and an outercladding which is a region disposed on the outer periphery of the second intermediate cladding and has an outside diameter (corresponding to the fiber diameter) DAl and the refractive index n 3 A coating layer is also disposed on the outer periphery of the outer cladding in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to the third embodiment.

In the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to the third embodiment, when 2a 5.04 gm, 2a/2b 0.52, 2b/2c 0.675, 2c/2d 0.40, A- and

A

2 0.07%, for example, its dispersion and dispersion slope are -22 ps/nm/km and -0.08 ps/nm 2 /km, respectively, at a wavelength of 1.55 um, thus satisfying the above-mentioned expressions and Also, at the wavelength of 1.55 gm, the bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm is 0.21 dB/m, whereas the effective area is 24.63 gm 2 In the basic refractive index profile 150 shown in Fig.

IB, the bending loss at 20 mm cannot become 1 dB/m or less while the effective area is near 25 'Um 2 in the case where the dispersion D and dispersion slope S satisfy the above-mentioned expressions and However, this condition can be realized in the refractive index profiles 250, 350 having one or more intermediate claddings as shown in Figs. 10A and 10B. Thus, the refractive index profiles 250, 350 having a depressed cladding structure as shown in Figs. 10A and O10B are preferable to the refractive index profile 150 shown in Fig. lB in that they can reduce the bending loss more effectively.

On the other hand, a single-mode optical fiber disposed on the upstream side and having a zero-dispersion wavelength within the range of 1.25 Um to 1.45/-Lm.

Fig. 1A is a view showing a cross-sectional structure of a first embodiment of the single-mode optical fiber disposed on the upstream side of the optical transmission line, whereas Fig. 11iB is a refractive index profile of the single-mode optical fiber according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 11A.

As shown in Fig. 11A, the single-mode optical fiber 500 according to the first embodiment is a single-mode optical fiber, mainly composed of silica glass, having a diameter (fiber diameter) DAl, whereas a coating layer 530 having an outside diameter DA2 is disposed on the outer periphery thereof. This single-mode optical fiber 500 comprises a core region 510 which is a region extending along a predetermined axis and having a refractive index nl and an outside diameter 2a; and a cladding region 520 which is a region, disposed on the outer periphery of the core region 510, having a refractive index n 2 lower than that of the core region 510.

The abscissa of the refractive index profile 550 shown in Fig. 11B corresponds to individual positions along the line L in Fig. 11A on a cross section perpendicular to the center axis of the core region 510. Therefore, in the refractive index profile 550 of Fig. 11B, regions 551 and 552 indicate the respective refractive indices at individual positions on the line L of the core region 510 and cladding region 520.

When the outside diameter 2a of the core region is 6.4 ,Um while the relative refractive index difference A' (nl n 2 )/n 2 is 0.35%, the optical fiber according to the first embodiment has a zero-dispersion wavelength at 1346 nm and exhibits the following characteristics with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 LLm. The effective cutoff wavelength of the single-mode optical fiber according to the first embodiment is 1162 nm.

dispersion (ps/nm/km): 11.64 dispersion slope (ps/nm 2 0.0689 mode field diameter (MFD; Um): 8.46 effective area Aeff gm 2 54.1 bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm 0.77 In the optical fiber having a depressed cladding structure, as can be seen from Figs. 2B to 2D mentioned above, in order for its transmission loss to be on a par with that of a dispersion-shifted optical fiber (0.210 dB/km) or less, its effective area Aeff is required to be 19 Um 2 or more when the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner claddingwith respect to the outer cladding is Namely, in order for the transmission loss to become 0.210 dB/km or less incurveG100 inFig. 2D, itispreferred that the DEF ratio be 45% or more. In view of graph G100 in Fig. 2B, on the other hand, its effective area Aeff becomes 19 jmm 2 or more within the range where the DEF ratio is or more.

A fourth embodiment of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has a cross-sectional structure similar to that shown in Fig. 1A and a refractive index profile similar to that shown in Fig. 1B. However, the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to the fourth embodiment has a depressed cladding structure comprising a core having an outside diameter of 4.6 pm and a refractive index an inner cladding which is disposed on the outer periphery of the core and has an outside diameter of 4.6 pm and a refractive index n 2 n) and an outer cladding which is disposed on the outer periphery of the inner cladding and has a refractive index n 3 n 2 When the relative refractive index difference A' of the core with respect to the outer cladding is 1.2% while the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding is the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to the fourth embodiment exhibits the following characteristics with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 u/m: dispersion (ps/nm/km): -26.9 dispersion slope (ps/nm 2 -0.077 mode field diameter (MFD; Urm): effective area Aeff (Im 2 19.1 bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm 0.8 In the case of an optical fiber having a simple structure such as that shown in Fig. 11A, which comprises a core, a cladding disposed on the outer periphery of the core, and a coating layer disposed on the outer periphery of the cladding, the amount of increase a of microbend loss, which is one kind of bending loss, is given by the following expression a (1/A 3 (a 4 /b 4 (1/D 2 (Ep 2

/EF

2 (6) where A is the relative refractive index difference between the core and the cladding, a is the outside diameter of the core, b is the outside diameter of the cladding, D is the outside diameter of the coating layer, Ep is the Young's modulus of the coating layer material (plastic), and EF is the Young's modulus of the fiber material.

e

I

4

I

As can be seen from the above-mentioned expression increases in outside diameter of the coating layer contribute to reducing the microbend loss. Fig. 12 is a graph showing relationships between the effective area and the bending loss in optical fibers in which the outside diameter of the coating layer is varied. In this graph, G400 indicates the result of measurement of a sample in which a coating layer having an outside diameter of 400 Im is disposed on the outer periphery of a single-mode optical fiber having a fiber diameter of 125tm, whereas G500 indicates the result of measurement of a sample in which a coating layer having an outside diameter of 500 /Lm is disposed on the outer periphery of the single-mode optical fiber having a fiber diameter of 125 9m. As can be seen from this graph, when the outside diameter of the coating layer is within the range from 235 /m to 415 gm, the bending loss can be reduced to a desirable value or less while a sufficient flexibility is secured.

The bending loss can be reduced not only by adjusting the outside diameter of the coating layer as mentioned above, but also by enhancing the fiber diameter. Fig. 13A is a table listing manufacturing parameters of four samples which are substantially identical to each other in terms of mode field diameter (MFD; Im), effective area Aeff (-m 2 chromatic dispersion D (ps/nm/km), and cutoff wavelength kc (Jm) as various characteristics with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 im. Here, the respective fiber diameters

I

of prepared samples 1, 2, 3, and 4 are 125.1 9m, 139.8 AL m, 150.4 Im, and 160.2 gim. Fig. 13B is a graph showing the relationship between the fiber diameter and bending loss concerning the samples 1 to 4 shown in Fig. 13A. As can be seen from Fig. 13B, the bending loss decreases as the fiber diameter increases. For securing a sufficient flexibility, however, it is preferred that the upper limit of the fiber diameter be 200gm or less. The above-mentioned adjustment of the outside diameter of the coating layer and the adjustment of the fiber diameter may be carried out either selectively or in combination. Therefore, when reducing the bending loss by increasing the outside diameter of the coating layer, a desirable reducing effect can be obtained even if the fiber diameter is decreased, whereby it will be sufficient if the fiber diameter is 115 gm or more.

Fig. 14 is a graph showing examples of relationship between the dispersion and the dispersion slope concerning a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, typical single-mode optical fibers having a zero-dispersion wavelength in a 1.3 gm wavelength band, and dispersion-compensating optical fibers. In the graph, the area referred to as DEF indicates the ranges of dispersion and dispersion slope in the dispersionequalizing optical fiber according to one preferred embodiment. The point referred to as SMF indicates the relationship between the dispersion and dispersion slope in a single-mode optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength in the wavelength band.

The point referred to as Z indicates the relationship between the dispersion and dispersion slope in a single-mode optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength in the 1.3-um wavelength band, in which a cladding mainly composed of silica glass is doped with F element. P-DCF indicates examples of relationship between the dispersion and dispersion slope in a dispersion-compensating optical fiber having a positive dispersion slope at the wavelength of 1.55 Um. Also, N-DCF indicates examples of relationship between the dispersion and dispersion slope in a dispersion-compensating optical fiber having a negative dispersion slope at the wavelength of 1.55 um.

The dispersion-compensating optical fiber having a positive dispersion slope at the wavelength of 1.55 Um (P-DCF), for example, comprises a core region having an outside diameter of 2 /Lm and a cladding region disposed on the outer periphery of the core region, in which the relative refractive index differences of the core region and cladding region with reference to pure silica are 2% and -0.35%, respectively. On the other hand, the dispersion-compensating optical fiber having a negative dispersion slope at the wavelength of 1.55/tm (N-DCF), for example, comprises the structure shown in Fig. 1A, in which the ratio Ra 2a/2b) of the outside diameter 2a of the core region to the outside diameter 2b of the inner cladding is 0.35, whereas the relative refractive index difference A' of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A- of the inner cladding region with respect to the outer cladding are 2.5% and respectively.

Further, the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber (DEF) shown in this graph has the structure shown in Fig. 1A, in which the relative refractive index difference A of the core region and the relative refractive index difference A of the inner cladding region with respect to the outer cladding are 1.2% and respectively.

As shown in Fig. 14, the ranges of dispersion and dispersion slope in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber (DEF) according to this embodiment are totally different from those in each of the single-mode optical fibers (SMF, Z) and dispers ion-compensating optical fibers (P-DCF, N-DCF) On the other hand, while this dispersion-equalizing optical fiber (DEF) and the dispersion-compensating optical fiber having a negative dispersion slope at the wavelength of 1.55 /m(N-DCF) are common to each other in that both the dispersion and dispersion slope are negative, their ranges of dispersion and dispersion slope totally differ from each other. Also, the respective polarities of the dispersion and dispersion slope in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber (DEF) are opposite to those of the dispersion and dispersion slope in the single mode optical fibers (SMF, whereas their ratios of the dispersion slope S to the dispersion D (S/D) are on a par with each other.

Embodiments of the optical transmission line according to one aspect of the present invention will now be explained with reference to Figs. 15A and respectively. Fig. 15A is a view showing the configuration of the optical transmission line according to a first embodiment. The optical transmission line according to the first embodiment is laid between stations 1 and 2; and comprises a typical single-mode optical fiber 3 having a zero-dispersion wavelength in a 1.3-Lm wavelength band, and a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4, optically connected to the single-mode optical fiber 3, having a structure such as that shown in Figs. 1A and 1B or Figs.

to 11B, for example. Here, the above-mentioned stations 1 and 2 are any of a transmitting station, a repeater station, and a receiving station. The signal light propagating through the transmission line is sent out from the station 1, subsequently passes through the single-mode optical fiber 3 and the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4, and then reaches the station 2. Namely, as viewed in the propagating direction of signal light, the single-mode optical fiber 3 is disposed upstream from the dispers ion-equalizing optical fiber 4. In addition, each of the single-mode optical fiber 3 and dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 is not necessarily be constituted by a single fiber (without a junction), but may comprise a plurality of optically connected fibers. Fig. 15B is a view showing the configuration of the optical transmission line according to a second embodiment. As depicted, the single-mode optical fiber 3 can be constituted by a plurality of single-mode optical fibers 3_i to 3.3, whereas the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 can be constituted by a plurality of dispersion-equalizing optical fibers 4-1 to 4_3.

As shown in Fig. 15A, let L (km) be the whole length of the optical transmission line, and f be the ratio thereof occupied by the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4.

Namely, let (1 f) Lbe the length of the single-mode optical fiber 3, and f L be the length of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4. Let Do (ps/nm/km) and So (ps/nm2/km) be the dispersion and dispersion slope of the single-mode optical fiber 3 at a wavelength of 1.55 jUm, respectively. Let Di (ps/nm/km) and S 1 (ps/nm2 /km) be the dispersion and dispersion slope of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 at a wavelength of 1.55 um, respectively.

In this case, the dispersion TD (ps/nm) and dispersion slope TS (ps/nm 2 of the whole optical transmission line at the wavelength of 1.55 um are: TD Do* (1 f) -L Di* f L (7) TS So* (1 f) -L Si f L (8) On the other hand, as mentioned above, at the wavelength of 1.55 jlm, the ratio (SI/DI) of the dispersion slope S, to the dispersion D 1 in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 and the ratio (So/Do) of the dispersion slope So to the dispersion Do in the single-mode optical fiber 3 are on a par with each other, whereby expressions of proportional relation: D k k'D 0 (9) S k'So hold true as approximate expressions.

When the above-mentioned expressions and (10) are inputted in the above-mentioned expressions and respectively, then the following expressions: TD f) k-f] D 0 "L (11) TS f) k-f] So"L (12) are obtained. As can be seen from these expressions, if k f)/f (13) then both the dispersion TD and dispersion slope TS of the whole optical transmission line at the wavelength of 1.55 gm become substantially zero.

Meanwhile, according to each of the respective values of dispersion and dispersion slope in the above-mentioned optical fibers, thevalueofk (=D 1 /Do=S 1 /So) is approximately suchthat k Therefore, when the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 which is appropriately designed in terms of dispersion D 1 and dispersion slope S 1 is used such that the ratio f occupied by the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 in the whole length L of the optical transmission line is about 50% or less, then both the dispersion TD and dispersion slope TS of the whole optical transmission line

I

at the wavelength of 1.55 gm can be made substantially zero.

In the optical transmission line according to this embodiment, the single-mode optical fiber 3 is disposed on the upstream side, whereas the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 is disposed on the downstream side. Thus, the signal light sent out fromthe station 1 initially propagates through the single-mode optical fiber 3, thereby attenuating to a certain extent, and then enters the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4. The effective area of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 is not so large, but is 15 giM 2 or more, preferably 17 gm 2 or more, further preferably 19gm 2 or more. Since the optical power of the signal light propagating through the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 is smaller than the initial optical power thereof at the time when sent out from the station 1, nonlinear optical phenomena are restrained from occurring in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4.

Also, each of the single-mode optical fiber 3 and dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 constituting the optical transmission line according to this embodiment has a dispersion greater than that of the dispersion-flattened optical fiber mentioned in page 1, thereby restraining nonlinear optical phenomena from occurring.

In particular, the single-mode optical fiber 3 preferably has such a length that its transmission loss becomes 3.3 dB ormorewith respect to light having awavelength of 1.55 In this case, if the optical power of the signal light sent out from the station 1 is such that nonlinear optical phenomena do not occur in the single-mode optical fiber 3 at all or, if any, are not problematic, then the nonlinear optical phenomena are sufficiently restrained from occurring in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 as well. Namely, letting AsMF be the effective area of the single-mode optical fiber 3, ADEF be the effective area of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4, PSMF be the optical power at the entrance end of the single-mode optical fiber 3, and PDEF be the optical power at the entrance end of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4, the condition under which the nonlinear characteristic near the entrance end of the single-mode optical fiber 3 becomes greater than that near the entrance end of the single-mode optical fiber 4 is PSMF/ASMF PDEF/ADEF. (14) From this expression, if the transmission loss level Loss of the single-mode optical fiber 3 is Loss -10 1og(PDEF/PsMF) -10 log(ADEF/AsMF) such that nonlinear optical phenomena do not occur in the single-mode optical fiber 3, then nonlinear optical phenomena are sufficiently restrained from occurring in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 as well. In this expression, letting the effective area ASMF of the single-mode I B 4 optical fiber 3 with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 um be 80 'Um 2 and the effective area AD&EF of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 um be 37 Im 2 at which the bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm becomes 50 dB/m or less, the transmission loss, Loss, of the single-mode optical fiber 3 with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 gm becomes 3.3 dB or more. More preferably, the effective area ADEF of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 gm is 30 /im 2 at which the bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm becomes 10 dB/m or less, whereby the transmission loss, Loss, of the single-mode optical fiber 3 with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 LUm becomes 4.3 dB or more.

Since the dispersion of this dispersion-equalizing optical fiber at a wavelength of 1.55 Im is -83 ps/nm/km or more, and the dispersion of the single-mode optical fiber at the wavelength of 1.55 /m is 17 ps/nm/km or more, the ratio of the length of the single-mode optical fiber to the length of dispersion-equalizing optical fiber is on the order of 1:1 to 4.9:1. When such an optical transmission line is employed as the transmission line between individual repeaters in a submarine cable, in view of the fact that one span (repeater spacing) of the submarine cable is about 50 km in general, it is necessary for the above-mentioned single-mode optical fiber to have a length of 42 km or less.

Also, from Figs. 2B to 2D, in view of the balance between the transmission loss and the nonlinear characteristic (indicated by the nonlinear index in Fig. 2C), it is preferred that the relative refractive index difference A of the inner cladding with respect to the outer cladding be on the order of to In a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber in which A- among others, the effective area Aff Ium 2 when the DEF ratio is about 2 7 %,wherebythe nonlinear characteristic is minimized (see curve G300 in Figs. 2B and 2C). If the DEF ratio further decreases from 27% (the ratio occupied by the single-mode optical fiber increases), then both the transmission loss and nonlinear characteristic enhance, whereby the transmission cannot be secured sufficiently. In view of these facts, the upper limit of the ratio of the length occupied by the single-mode optical fiber in the optical transmission line is about 73%. In particular, when the optical transmission line having the above-mentioned structure is employed as a transmission line (having a length of about 50 km) between repeaters in the above-mentioned submarine cable, the length of the single-mode optical fiber is 36.5 km or less. As a consequence, letting the transmission loss of this single-mode optical fiber be 0.195 dB/km (in the case of the optical fiber whose core is doped with Ge element), the upper limit of the total transmission loss of the single-mode optical fiber is preferably 7.1 dB or less.

The single-mode optical fiber 3 may be a single-mode optical fiber (whose core is made of pure silica) having a zero-dispersion wavelength in a 1.3-AUm band, in which a cladding mainly composed of silica glass is doped with F element. In this type of single-mode optical fiber 3, at a wavelength of 1.55 um, the dispersion is about 19 ps/nm/km, while the dispersion slope is about 0.06 ps/nm 2 /km. When the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 appropriately designed in terms of the dispersion D 1 and dispersion slope S, is employed, both the dispersion and dispersion slope S in the whole optical transmission line can be made substantially zero with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 /m in this case as well.

Employing the single-mode optical fiber having a cladding doped with F element has merits as follows. Namely, since the dispersion value is about 19 ps/nm/km, thus being greater than that of typical single-mode optical fibers, nonlinear optical phenomena are less likely to occur. Also, since the core region is made of pure silica or silica doped with a minute amount of Ge element, Rayleigh scattering is weak, and loss is small. As comparedwith typical single-mode optical fibers, the mode-field diameter (MFD) is smaller, thus yielding a smaller difference in mode field diameter from the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4, whereby the splicelosswithrespecttothedispersion-equalizingoptical fiber 4 is smaller (transmission loss caused by mode mismatching is smaller).

Also, since the single-mode optical fiber 3 having a cladding doped with F element has an effective area of about gm 2 its length is preferably such that the transmission loss with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 U m becomes 3.0 dB or more. Also in this case, if the optical power of the signal light sent out from the station 1 is such that nonlinear optical phenomena do not occur in the single-mode optical fiber 3 at all or, if any, are not problematic, then the nonlinear optical phenomena are sufficiently restrained from occurring in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 as well. More preferably, the effective area ADEF of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 um is 30 _m 2 at which the bending loss at a diameter of 20 mm becomes 10 dB/m or less, whereby the transmission loss, Loss, of the single-mode optical fiber 3 with respect to light having a wavelength of 1.55 ,mbecomes dB or more.

The length of the single-mode optical fiber having an F-doped cladding is also required to be 42 km or less when its application to a submarine cable having a span of about km is taken into consideration. Also, for effectively suppressing the nonlinear optical phenomena, the upper limit of the ratio of length of the single-mode optical fiber in the optical transmission line is preferably about 73% (36.5 I km), so that, letting the transmission loss of the F-doped single-mode optical fiber be 0.175 dB/km, the total transmission loss of the F-doped single-mode optical fiber is 6.4 dB or less.

As mentioned above, representative examples of the single-mode optical fiber 3 having a zero-dispersion wavelength in a 1.3-gm wavelength band include a typical optical fiber whose core and cladding are mainly composed of silica, whereas the core is doped with Ge element; and an optical fiber whose core and cladding are mainly composed of silica, whereas the cladding is doped with F element.

The values of dispersion and dispersion slope in these single-mode optical fibers 3 are represented by those mentioned above but fluctuate in the vicinity of the latter.

Nevertheless, as long as the dispersion and dispersion slope in the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 according to the present invention lie within the ranges represented by the above-mentioned expressions and respectively, both the dispersion and dispersion slope of the whole optical transmission line can be made substantially zero when the ratio of the length of the single-mode optical fiber 3 to the length of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber 4 is appropriately set, even if the individual values of dispersion and dispersion slope in the single-mode optical fibers 3 fluctuate.

Without being restricted to the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention can be modified in various manners. For example, the specific design of the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber is not limited to those of the individual embodiments mentioned above, but can be altered within the ranges satisfying the above-mentioned expressions and In the case where bidirectional communications are carried out in an optical transmission line between stations, this optical transmission line is preferably constituted by a first single-mode optical fiber.

a dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to one aspect of the present invention, and a second singlemode optical fiber which are substantially cascaded in this order. In this case, since the signal light sent out from each station propagates through the dispersionequalizing optical fiber after having propagated through the first or second single-mode optical fiber, nonlinear optical phenomena are restrained from occurring.

As explained in the foregoing, a dispersionequalizing optical fiber according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to realize an optical transmission line enabling WDM communications in a wide signal light wavelength band centered at a wavelength of 1.55 gm, in which nonlinear optical phenomena are less likely to occur. Also, in an optical transmission line in which this dispersion-equalizing optical fiber and a single-mode optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength in a 1.3urm wavelength band are adjusted to their respective appropriate lengths, the wavelength dependence of the dispersion and dispersion slope in the whole optical transmission line is sufficiently reduced, so that both the dispersion and dispersion slope become substantially zero.

Also, since the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a refractive index profile of a depressed cladding structure, its bending loss, which may become problematic when making a module, can effectively be restrained from increasing.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

P \OPER\KAT\I 51254) pmnrlime nidoc- 140 -56A- Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (72)

1. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber constituting a part of an optical transmission line: wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber comprises a core extending along a predetermined axis, a depressed region provided on the outer periphery of said core, and an outer cladding provided on the outer periphery of said depressed region; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has a dispersion D (unit: ps/nm/km) and a dispersion slope S (unit: ps/nm 2 /km) satisfying the following conditions: -57 D! -28.5 0.0050 x D S 0.0025 x D at a wavelength of 1.55 tm; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 lpm, an effective area of 15 jim 2 or more, and a bending loss of 50 dB/m or less when wound at a diameter of20 mm; wherein said depressed region has a refractive index lower than those of both said core and said outer cladding; and wherein a ratio Ra of an outer diameter of said core with respect to that of said depressed region is greater than 0.4.

2. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein said outer S cladding is positioned at a most outer side of said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber, and said core is directly adjacent said depressed region; and wherein the refractive index of said core is greater than the refractive index of said outer cladding, and an outer diameter of said core is defined by a diameter where the refractive index of said core is substantially equal to the refractive index of said outer cladding, and an outer diameter of said depressed region is defined by a diameter of the outer periphery thereof where the refractive index of said depressed region is substantially equal to the refractive index of said outer cladding.

3. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate cladding provided between said depressed region and said outer cladding, P:.OP~ERV1U32I927 ciu dhm .doc-2AM2 -58- said intermediate cladding having a refractive index lower than that of said core but higher than that of said outer cladding.

4. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein a relative refractive index difference of said core with respect to said outer cladding is 0.72% or more but 1.8% or less.

A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 4, wherein the relative refractive index difference of said core with respect to said outer cladding is 0.9% or more but 1.6% or less.

6. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein said dispersion- equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 jim, a bending loss of 10 dB/m or less when wound at the diameter of 20 mm.

7. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein said dispersion- equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 11m, a polarization mode dispersion of 0.15 ps km" 1 2 or less.

8. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein said dispersion- equalizing optical fiber has a fiber diameter of 115 jLm or more but 200 jLm or less.

9. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein said dispersion- equalizing optical fiber further comprises a coating layer provided on the outer periphery of said outer cladding, said coating layer having an outside diameter of 235 jim or more but 415 jim or less.

An optical transmission line comprising: a single-mode optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength near a wavelength of 1.3 m; and the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber of claim 1 disposed such that light having P:)OPER~LM521275 dlimi diw2~ 2M )2 -59- propagated through said single-mode optical fiber is incident thereon.

11. An optical transmission line according to claim 10, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a zero-dispersion wavelength of 1.25 utm or more but 1.45 pm or less.

12. An optical transmission line according to claim 10, wherein said single-mode optical fiber and said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber have a total length m satisfying the condition of: 0.9 x L m L where L is the distance between stations between which said optical transmission line is provided.

13. An optical transmission line according to claim 12, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a length of 42 km or less.

14. An optical transmission line according to claim 10, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a total transmission loss of 3.3 dB or more at a wavelength of 1.55 tm.

An optical transmission line according to claim 14, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a total transmission loss of 7.1 dB or less at the wavelength of 1.55 m.

16. An optical transmission line comprising: a single-mode optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength near a wavelength of 1.3 pim, said single-mode optical fiber having a cladding doped with a predetermined amount of F element; and the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber of claim 1 provided such that light having propagated through said single-mode optical fiber is incident thereon.

17. An optical transmission line according to claim 16, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a zero-dispersion wavelength of 1.25 um or more but 1.45 upm or less. P.AOPERWAr1\252275 claims div doc-2809/04

18. An optical transmission line according to claim 16, wherein said single-mode optical fiber and said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber have a total length m satisfying the condition of: 0.9x L m <L where L is the distance between stations between which said optical transmission line is provided.

19. An optical transmission line according to claim 18, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a length of 42 km or less.

An optical transmission line according to claim 16, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a total transmission loss of 3.0 dB or more at a wavelength of 1.55 Jtm.

21. An optical transmission line according to claim 20, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a total transmission loss of 6.4 dB or less at the wavelength of 1.55 pm. 0go 0000

22. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein a relative S* refractive index difference of said core with respect to said outer cladding is 1.2% or more but 1.6% or less, and a relative refractive index difference of said depressed region with 20 respect to said outer cladding is or more but -0.44% or less. 0090 *go. o00*

23. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein a relative refractive index difference of said core with respect to said outer cladding is 1.2% or more 0 but 1.6% or less, and a relative refractive index difference of said depressed region with respect to said outer cladding is or more but or less.

24. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber constituting a part of an optical transmission line, said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber comprising: a core extending along a predetermined axis, said core having a predetermined refractive index; a depressed region provided on the outer periphery of said core, said depressed P 'OPERWAI528275 clais div do-2J09/OA -61- region having a refractive index lower than that of said core; and an outer cladding provided on the outer periphery of said depressed region, said outer cladding having a refractive index higher than that of said depressed region; said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber having a dispersion D (unit: ps/nm/km) and a dispersion slope S (unit: ps/nm 2 /km) satisfying the following conditions: -57 D -28.5 0.0050 x D S _0.0025 x D at a wavelength of 1.55 im; said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber having, at the wavelength of 1.55 jLm, an effective area of 17 jIm 2 or more; and a ratio Ra of an outer diameter of said core with respect to that of said depressed region being greater than 0.4.

25. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein said outer 15 cladding is positioned at a most outer side of said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber, and i said core is directly adjacent said depressed region, and wherein the refractive index of said core is greater than the refractive index of said S: "outer cladding, and outer diameter of said core is defined by a diameter where the refractive index of said core is substantially equal to the refractive index of said outer 20 cladding, and an outer diameter of said depressed region is defined by a diameter of the see. outer periphery thereof where the refractive index of said depressed region is substantially equal to the refractive index of said outer cladding.

26. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 24, further comprising an 25 intermediate cladding provided between said depressed region and said outer cladding, said intermediate cladding having a refractive index lower than that of said core but higher than that of said outer cladding.

27. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein a relative refractive index difference of said core with respect to said outer cladding is 0.72% or more but 1.6% or less. OPERAfU522I275 dbm div.dl-29AM2 -62-

28. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 27, wherein the relative refractive index difference of said core with respect to said outer cladding is 0.9% or more but 1.6% or less.

29. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 ptm, a bending loss of dB/m or less when wound at a diameter of 20 mm.

A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 ptm, a polarization mode dispersion of 0.15 ps km 2 or less.

31. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has a fiber diameter of 115 .m or more but 200 p.m or less.

32. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber further comprises a coating layer provided on the outer periphery of said outer cladding, said coating layer having an outside diameter of 235 p.m or more but 415 pm or less.

33. An optical transmission line comprising: a single-mode optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength near a wavelength of 1.3 gm; and the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber of claim 24 provided such that light having propagated through said single-mode optical fiber is incident thereon.

34. An optical transmission line according to claim 33, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a zero-dispersion wavelength of 1.25 .m or more but 1.45 pgm or less.

An optical transmission line according to claim 33, wherein said single-mode P-OPERLUf28275 dwa22 d.doc.-206"2 -63- optical fiber and said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber have a total length m satisfying the condition of: 0.9x L<m L where L is the distance between stations between which said optical transmission line is provided.

36. An optical transmission line according to claim 35, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a length of 42 km or less.

37. An optical transmission line according to claim 33, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a total transmission loss of 3.3 dB or more at a wavelength of 1.55 pim.

38. An optical transmission line according to claim 37, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a total transmission loss of 7.1 dB or less at the wavelength of 1.55 lim.

39. An optical transmission line comprising: a single-mode optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength near a wavelength of 1.3 ptm, said single-mode optical fiber having a cladding doped with a predetermined amount of F element; and the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber of claim 24 provided such that light having propagated through said single-mode optical fiber is incident thereon.

An optical transmission line according to claim 39, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a zero-dispersion wavelength of 1.25 Lm or more but 1.45 urn or less.

41. An optical transmission line according to claim 39, wherein said single-mode optical fiber and said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber have a total length m satisfying the condition of: 0.9 x L m< L where L is the distance between stations between which said optical transmission line is provided. P:\OPERA .528275 cims 6v dom.-209/04 -64-

42. An optical transmission line according to claim 41, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a length of 42 km or less.

43. An optical transmission line according to claim 39, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a total transmission loss of 3.0 dB or more at a wavelength of 1.55 Pm.

44. An optical transmission line according to claim 43, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a total transmission loss of 6.4 dB or less at the wavelength of 1.55 ptm.

A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein a relative refractive index difference of said core with respect to said outer cladding is 1.2% or more but 1.6% or less, and a relative refractive index difference of said depressed region with respect to said outer cladding is or more but -0.44% or less.

46. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 24, wherein a relative refractive index difference of said core with respect to said outer cladding is 1.2% or more 9.. but 1.6% or less, and a relative refractive index difference of said depressed region with 999 respect to said outer cladding is or more but or less. S

47. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber constituting a part of an optical transmission line; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber comprises a core extending along a predetermined axis, a depressed region provided on the outer periphery of said core, and an outer cladding provided on the outer periphery of said depressed region; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has a dispersion D (unit: V0 ""ps/nm/kmn) and a dispersion slope S (unit: ps/nm2 /km) satisfying the following conditions: -57 <D <-28.5 0.0050 x D 5 S 0.0025 x D at a wavelength of 1.55 p.m; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 pm, P OPER\Arl2528275 claims div.do-28109/04 65 an effective area of 19 p.m 2 or more, and a bending loss of 50 dB/m or less when wound at a diameter of 20 mm; wherein said depressed region has a refractive index lower than those of both said core and said outer cladding; and wherein a ratio Ra of an outer diameter of said core with respect to that of said depressed region is greater than 0.4.

48. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 47, wherein said outer cladding is positioned at a most outer side of said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber, and said core is directly adjacent said depressed region, and wherein the refractive index of said core is greater than the refractive index of said outer cladding, and an outer diameter of said core is defined by a diameter where the refractive index of said core is substantially equal to the refractive index of said outer cladding, and an outer diameter of said depressed region is defined by a diameter of the outer periphery thereof where the refractive index of said depressed region is substantially equal to the refractive index of said outer cladding.

49. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 47, further comprising an intermediate cladding provided between said depressed region and said outer cladding, said intermediate cladding having a refractive index lower than that of said core but higher than that of said outer cladding.

A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 47, wherein a relative refractive index difference of said core with respect to said outer cladding is 0.72% or more but 1.8% or less.

51. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 50, wherein the relative refractive index difference of said core with respect to said outer cladding is 0.9% or more but 1.6% or less.

52. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 47, wherein said dispersion- equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 jim, a bending loss of PIOERMMU529275 claims 6v dc-2A"M2 66 dB/m or less when would at the diameter of 20 mm.

53. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 47, wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 pin, a polarization mode dispersion of 0.15 ps km 2 or less.

54. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 47, wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has a fiber diameter of 115 pm or more but 200 ptm or less.

A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 47, wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber further comprises a coating layer provided on the outer periphery of said outer cladding, said coating layer having an outside diameter of 235 pm or more but 415 gm or less.

56. An optical transmission line comprising: a single-mode optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength near a wavelength of 1.3 gm; and the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber of claim 47 provided such that light having propagated through said single-mode optical fiber is incident thereon.

57. An optical transmission line according to claim 56, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a zero-dispersion wavelength of 1.25 pm or more but 1.45 Lm or less.

58. An optical transmission line according to claim 56, wherein said single-mode optical fiber and said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber have a total length m satisfying the condition of: 0.9 x L <m L where L is the distance between stations between which said optical transmission line is provided. OPERVAUI2S227 cli"- di oc-21A q2 -67-

59. An optical transmission line according to claim 58, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a length of 42 km or less.

An optical transmission line according to claim 56, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a total transmission loss of 3.3 dB or more at a wavelength of 1.55 p.m.

61. An optical transmission line according to claim 60, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a total transmission loss of 7.1 dB or less at the wavelength of 1.55 p.m.

62. An optical transmission line comprising: a single-mode optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength near a wavelength of 1.3 p.m, said single-mode optical fiber having a cladding doped with a predetermined amount of F element; and the dispersion-equalizing optical fiber of claim 47 provided such that light having propagated through said single-mode optical fiber is incident thereon.

63. An optical transmission line according to claim 62, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a zero-dispersion wavelength of 1.25 p.m or more but 1.45 p.m or less.

64. An optical transmission line according to claim 62, wherein said single-mode optical fiber and said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber have a total length m satisfying the condition of: 0.9x L<m_<L where L is the distance between stations between which said optical transmission line is provided.

An optical transmission line according to claim 64, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a length of 42 km or less.

66. An optical transmission line according to claim 62, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a total transmission loss of 3.0 dB or more at a wavelength of 1.55 p.m. P.OPERMA12525275 cli- d,.d=.ocW.2&l2 -68-

67. An optical transmission line according to claim 66, wherein said single-mode optical fiber has a total transmission loss of 6.4 dB or less at the wavelength of 1.55 jim.

68. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 47, wherein a relative refractive index difference of said core with respect to said outer cladding is 1.2% or more but 1.6% or less, and a relative refractive index difference of said depressed region with respect to said outer cladding is or more but -0.44% or less.

69. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber according to claim 47, wherein a relative refractive index difference of said core with respect to said outer cladding is 1.2% or more but 1.6% or less, and a relative refractive index difference of said depressed region with respect to said outer cladding is or more but or less.

A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber constituting a part of an optical transmission line; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber comprises a core region extending along predetermined axis, and a cladding region provided on the outer periphery of said core region; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has a dispersion D (unit: ps/nm/km) and a dispersion slope S (unit: ps/nm 2 /km) satisfying the following -83 D <-18 0.0050 x D S 0.0025 x D at a wavelength of 1.55 pm; wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 Pm, an effective area of 15 pjm 2 or more, and a bending loss of 50 dB/m or less when wound at a diameter of 20 mm; wherein said cladding region comprises an inner cladding, provided on the outer periphery of said core region, having a lower refractive index than said core region; and an outer cladding, provided on the outer periphery of said inner cladding, having a higher refractive index than said inner cladding; wherein a ration Ra of an outer diameter of said core region with respect to that of P:'OPER\Arl\2528275 caimsdiv.doc- 510/04 -69- wherein a ration Ra of an outer diameter of said core region with respect to that of said inner cladding is greater than 0.4; and wherein said dispersion-equalizing optical fiber has, at the wavelength of 1.55 [im, a polarization mode dispersion of 0.15 ps X km 12 or less.

71. A dispersion-equalizing optical fiber for an optical transmission line substantially as described with reference to the drawings and/or examples.

72. An optical transmission line substantially as described with reference to the drawings and/or examples. Dated this 15th day of October 2004 o Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the applicant(s) o**,o *o