US20030007761A1 - Single-mode optical fiber and method of fabricating the same - Google Patents
Single-mode optical fiber and method of fabricating the same Download PDFInfo
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- US20030007761A1 US20030007761A1 US10/228,964 US22896402A US2003007761A1 US 20030007761 A1 US20030007761 A1 US 20030007761A1 US 22896402 A US22896402 A US 22896402A US 2003007761 A1 US2003007761 A1 US 2003007761A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/036—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating core or cladding comprising multiple layers
- G02B6/03616—Optical fibres characterised both by the number of different refractive index layers around the central core segment, i.e. around the innermost high index core layer, and their relative refractive index difference
- G02B6/03638—Optical fibres characterised both by the number of different refractive index layers around the central core segment, i.e. around the innermost high index core layer, and their relative refractive index difference having 3 layers only
- G02B6/0365—Optical fibres characterised both by the number of different refractive index layers around the central core segment, i.e. around the innermost high index core layer, and their relative refractive index difference having 3 layers only arranged - - +
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B37/00—Manufacture or treatment of flakes, fibres, or filaments from softened glass, minerals, or slags
- C03B37/01—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments
- C03B37/012—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments
- C03B37/01205—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments
- C03B37/01211—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments by inserting one or more rods or tubes into a tube
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B37/00—Manufacture or treatment of flakes, fibres, or filaments from softened glass, minerals, or slags
- C03B37/01—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments
- C03B37/012—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments
- C03B37/014—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments made entirely or partially by chemical means, e.g. vapour phase deposition of bulk porous glass either by outside vapour deposition [OVD], or by outside vapour phase oxidation [OVPO] or by vapour axial deposition [VAD]
- C03B37/01413—Reactant delivery systems
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B37/00—Manufacture or treatment of flakes, fibres, or filaments from softened glass, minerals, or slags
- C03B37/01—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments
- C03B37/02—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments by drawing or extruding, e.g. direct drawing of molten glass from nozzles; Cooling fins therefor
- C03B37/025—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments by drawing or extruding, e.g. direct drawing of molten glass from nozzles; Cooling fins therefor from reheated softened tubes, rods, fibres or filaments, e.g. drawing fibres from preforms
- C03B37/027—Fibres composed of different sorts of glass, e.g. glass optical fibres
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/02214—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating tailored to obtain the desired dispersion, e.g. dispersion shifted, dispersion flattened
- G02B6/02219—Characterised by the wavelength dispersion properties in the silica low loss window around 1550 nm, i.e. S, C, L and U bands from 1460-1675 nm
- G02B6/02228—Dispersion flattened fibres, i.e. having a low dispersion variation over an extended wavelength range
- G02B6/02238—Low dispersion slope fibres
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/02214—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating tailored to obtain the desired dispersion, e.g. dispersion shifted, dispersion flattened
- G02B6/0228—Characterised by the wavelength dispersion slope properties around 1550 nm
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/036—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating core or cladding comprising multiple layers
- G02B6/03605—Highest refractive index not on central axis
- G02B6/03611—Highest index adjacent to central axis region, e.g. annular core, coaxial ring, centreline depression affecting waveguiding
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/036—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating core or cladding comprising multiple layers
- G02B6/03616—Optical fibres characterised both by the number of different refractive index layers around the central core segment, i.e. around the innermost high index core layer, and their relative refractive index difference
- G02B6/03622—Optical fibres characterised both by the number of different refractive index layers around the central core segment, i.e. around the innermost high index core layer, and their relative refractive index difference having 2 layers only
- G02B6/03633—Optical fibres characterised both by the number of different refractive index layers around the central core segment, i.e. around the innermost high index core layer, and their relative refractive index difference having 2 layers only arranged - -
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/036—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating core or cladding comprising multiple layers
- G02B6/03616—Optical fibres characterised both by the number of different refractive index layers around the central core segment, i.e. around the innermost high index core layer, and their relative refractive index difference
- G02B6/03638—Optical fibres characterised both by the number of different refractive index layers around the central core segment, i.e. around the innermost high index core layer, and their relative refractive index difference having 3 layers only
- G02B6/03644—Optical fibres characterised both by the number of different refractive index layers around the central core segment, i.e. around the innermost high index core layer, and their relative refractive index difference having 3 layers only arranged - + -
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B2203/00—Fibre product details, e.g. structure, shape
- C03B2203/10—Internal structure or shape details
- C03B2203/22—Radial profile of refractive index, composition or softening point
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B2203/00—Fibre product details, e.g. structure, shape
- C03B2203/10—Internal structure or shape details
- C03B2203/22—Radial profile of refractive index, composition or softening point
- C03B2203/29—Segmented core fibres
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/02004—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating characterised by the core effective area or mode field radius
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/02004—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating characterised by the core effective area or mode field radius
- G02B6/02009—Large effective area or mode field radius, e.g. to reduce nonlinear effects in single mode fibres
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a single-mode optical fiber suitable for a transmission line in digital communications and a method of fabricating the same.
- SM optical fiber single-mode optical fiber
- 1.55- ⁇ m SM optical fiber Such an SM optical fiber applied to transmission lines for 1.55- ⁇ m wavelength band light (referred to as “1.55- ⁇ m SM optical fiber” hereinafter) has been designed such that its wavelength dispersion (phenomenon in which pulse wave broadens due to the fact that velocity of propagation of light varies according to wavelength) becomes zero (a dispersion-shifted fiber whose zero dispersion wavelength is set 1.55 ⁇ m).
- optical fibers having a refractive index profile of a dual-shape type such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-18161 or a segmented-core type disclosed in “Relation between Macrobending Losses and Cutoff Wavelength in Dispersion-Shifted Segmented-Core Fiber,” Electronics Letter , No. 22, No. 11, p. 574, 1986 have been mainly used.
- the inventors In order to attain such a single-mode optical fiber, the inventors have studied the conventional single-mode optical fiber as explained in the following.
- the wavelength dispersion thereof gradually increases as the signal light wavelength deviates farther from 1.55 ⁇ m.
- the absolute value of its dispersion slope e.g., differential coefficient, at the zero dispersion wavelength, of a curve indicating dispersion with respect to the signal light wavelength shown in each of FIGS. 13 and 14
- the ratio of increase in the absolute value of wavelength dispersion unfavorably becomes higher when the zero dispersion wavelength of the SM optical fiber or the wavelength of a light source deviates from 1.55 ⁇ m.
- dispersion-shifted fibers in general are designed such that the zero dispersion wavelength thereof is slightly shifted from the signal light wavelength. Accordingly, in the SM optical fiber, which is a transmission line, it is necessary to lower the absolute value of dispersion slope or to effect dispersion compensation (in which signal light is made to pass through an SM optical fiber having a reverse dispersion characteristics) in the transmission line.
- WDM wavelength-divided multiplex transmission
- a plurality of wavelengths near the zero dispersion wavelength are used, when the dispersion slope has a large absolute value, the difference among wavelength dispersion values at respective wavelengths may increase so much that dispersion cannot be compensated for. Accordingly, it is important to lower the absolute value of dispersion slope.
- the mode-field diameter decreases or the bending loss increases, thereby making it inevitable for the lateral-pressure characteristic to deteriorate.
- the connection characteristic deteriorates when the MFD is made too small, the lower limit thereof has conventionally been set.
- nonlinear phenomenons are enhanced as MFD is lowered, thereby demanding increase in MFD.
- deterioration in the side-pressure characteristic becomes an obstacle when SM optical fibers are formed into a cable. Accordingly, it is important to note that the reducing in absolute value of dispersion slope and the increase in MFD have a trade-off relationship therebetween.
- the refractive index near the center of core region has a constant value or decreases toward the outside.
- the core of an SM optical fiber having such a refractive index profile comprises an inner core at the center portion thereof and an outer core having a lower refractive index than the inner core.
- an SM optical fiber 1 according to the present invention is an optical fiber mainly composed of silica glass, comprising a core region having a predetermined refractive index and a cladding portion 200 which is formed around the outer periphery of the core region and whose refractive index is set lower than that of the core region.
- the core region comprises a first core portion 110 whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 is a first value ⁇ n 1 and whose outer diameter is a; a second core portion 120 which is a glass region whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 is a second value ⁇ n 2 greater than the first value ⁇ n 1 and whose outer diameter is b, formed around the outer periphery of the first core portion 110 ; and a third core portion 130 which is a glass region whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 is a third value ⁇ n 3 which is smaller than the second value ⁇ n 2 and whose outer diameter is c, formed around the outer periphery of the second core portion 120 .
- the first core portion 110 and the second core portion 120 satisfy the following relationship:
- the refractive index profile 600 of the SM optical fiber 1 does not always have a clear step-like form.
- the outer diameter a of the first core portion 110 is defined by a diameter in the boundary portion between the first core portion 110 and the second core portion 120 at which the relative refractive index difference is ( ⁇ n 1 + ⁇ n 2 )/2;
- the outer diameter b of the second core portion 120 is defined by a diameter in the boundary portion between the second core portion 120 and the third core portion 130 at which the relative refractive index difference is ( ⁇ n 2 + ⁇ n 3 )/2;
- the outer diameter c of, the second core portion 130 is defined by a diameter in the boundary portion between the third core portion 130 and the cladding portion 200 at which the relative refractive index difference is ( ⁇ n 3 + ⁇ n c )/2.
- the mean relative refractive index difference ⁇ n c of the cladding portion 200 with respect to itself is 0.
- a material dispersion in which velocity of propagation toward the longitudinal direction (direction in which signal light advances) becomes faster as the signal light has a longer wavelength and a structure dispersion in which velocity of propagation becomes faster as the signal light has a shorter wavelength occur concurrently.
- such an SM optical fiber has a refractive index profile in which the refractive index near the core center has a constant value or decreases toward the outside.
- gradients of the material dispersion and structure dispersion with respect to wavelength have polarities opposite to each other, while the material dispersion normally has a larger absolute value of gradient.
- the total dispersion obtained as the material dispersion and structure dispersion are added together has a unique gradient (dispersion slope) inherent in each SM optical fiber with respect to the zero dispersion wavelength.
- the inventors have found out that, in the core portion of SM optical fibers having a refractive index profile of dual shape type or segmented-core type, when the relative refractive index difference of the center part of the core with respect to the cladding portion is reduced as compared with that of the core at the peripheral part, the absolute value of dispersion slope can be reduced without decreasing MFD or increasing the bending loss. Namely, in the refractive index profile, according as the region (indent indicated by mark “A” in the refractive index profile of FIG. 1) corresponding to the center part of the core is wider and deeper (a difference between the first and second values ⁇ n 1 and ⁇ n 2 is larger), the absolute value of dispersion slope can be reducer.
- the inventors have confirmed that the width of this indent A has a great effect on reducing the absolute value of dispersion slope, such that, when the width of this indent is insufficient (narrow), the effect on reducing the absolute value of dispersion slope can hardly be obtained.
- dispersion slope used alone indicates its absolute value.
- the absolute value of gradient of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength becomes smaller, thereby enabling the reducing of dispersion slope in a wide wavelength range.
- the third value ⁇ n 3 be set to 0.03% or higher, and the second value ⁇ n 2 be set to 0.4% or higher.
- the second core portion 120 and the third core portion 130 preferably satisfy the relationship of 0.1 ⁇ b/c ⁇ 0.3 therebetween. It is due to the fact that the bending loss at a diameter of 30 mm (30 mm ⁇ bending loss) of 0.1 dB/turn or less is generally recognized as a standard for preventing the transmission loss from increasing in the SM optical fiber applied to a cable of a tight configuration.
- the inventors have confirmed that, as the value of the above-mentioned relational expression (1) is increased, the effect on reducing the dispersion slope is maximized at about 0.5, whereas the dispersion slope rather increases thereafter (see FIG. 15). Accordingly, the first core portion 110 and the second core portion 120 preferably satisfy the following relationship:
- the third core portion 130 is preferably constituted by an inner core 130 a which is a glass region whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 is a fourth value ⁇ n 3a ( ⁇ n 2 ) and whose outer diameter is c a ( ⁇ c) formed around the outer periphery of the second core portion 120 and an outer core 130 b which is a glass region whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 is a fifth value ⁇ n 3b ( ⁇ n 2 and > ⁇ n 3a ) and whose outer diameter is c spaced from the second core portion 120 by way of the inner core 130 a .
- an indent B is formed at a region corresponding to the third core portion 130 (including the inner core 130 a and the outer core 130 b ).
- the inner core 130 a and the outer core 130 b satisfy the following relationship:
- the first method of manufacturing the SM optical fiber according to the present invention comprises, as shown in FIG. 5, a first step of preparing a glass tube 201 which is to be the cladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index, and flowing a material gas containing at least Si and Ge through a hollow part of the glass tube 201 , while heating the glass tube 201 , thereby forming, on the inner surface of the glass tube 201 , a first soot body 131 which is to be the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the third value ⁇ n 3 ; a second step of flowing a material gas containing at least Si and Ge through the hollow part of the glass tube 201 in which the first soot body 131 is formed, while heating the glass tube 201 , thereby forming, on the inner surface of the first soot body 131 , a second soot body 151 which is to be the first core portion 110 and
- This first manufacturing method belongs to the MCVD method.
- a halogen gas such as chlorine is flowed through the hollow part of the glass tube 201 , while the latter is heated, so as to diffuse germanium on the inner surface side of the second soot body 151 , thereby intentionally reducing the relative refractive index difference of the inner region 111 to be the first core portion 110 after vitrification with respect to that of the outer region 121 to be the second core portion 120 after vitrification.
- SM optical fiber 1 has a refractive index profile 600 in which the indent A with a sufficient width is formed at the center part of the core region.
- the above-mentioned third step is effected at the above-mentioned first step.
- the second method of manufacturing the SM optical fiber according to the present invention comprises, as shown in FIG. 7, a first step of forming a first soot body 112 to be the first core portion 110 after vitrification, the first core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the first value ⁇ n 1 ; a second step of forming, around the outer periphery of the first soot body 112 , a second soot body 122 to be the second core portion 120 after vitrification, the second core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the second value ⁇ n 2 (> ⁇ n 1 ); a third step of forming, around the outer periphery of the second soot body 122 , a third soot body 132 to be the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the third core portion 130 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the third value ⁇ n 3 ( ⁇ n 2
- This second manufacturing method belongs to the VAD method.
- a portion which is to be the first core portion 110 after vitrification and is for forming the indent A with a sufficient width in the refractive index profile 60 D is intentionally formed. Accordingly, thus obtained SM optical fiber 1 has a refractive index profile 600 in which the indent A with a sufficient width is formed at the center portion of the core region.
- the third step is constituted by a first sub-process of forming, around the outer periphery of the second soot body 122 , an inner soot body to be the inner core 130 a of the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the inner core 130 a being formed around the outer periphery of the second core portion 120 and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fourth value ⁇ n 3a ( ⁇ n 2 ); and a second sub-process of forming, around the outer periphery of the inner soot body to be an outer core 130 b of the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the outer core 130 b being formed around the outer periphery of the inner core 130 a and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fifth value ⁇ n 3b ( ⁇ n 2 and > ⁇ n 3
- the third method of manufacturing the SM optical fiber according to the present invention comprises, as shown in FIG. 9, a first step of forming, around the outer periphery of a cylindrical glass rod 500 , a first soot body 153 to be the first core portion 110 and the second core portion 120 after vitrification, the first core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the first value ⁇ n 1 , the second core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the second value ⁇ n 2 (> ⁇ n 1 ); a second step of forming, around the outer periphery of the first soot body 153 , a second soot body 133 to be the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the third value ⁇ n 3 ( ⁇ n 2 ); a third step of forming, around the outer periphery of the second soot body
- This third manufacturing method belongs to the OVD method.
- a halogen gas such as chlorine is flowed through the hollow part of the tubular soot body 331 , while the latter is heated, so as to diffuse germanium on the inner surface side of the first soot body 153 , thereby intentionally reducing the germanium concentration of the inner soot body 113 as compared with that of the outer soot body 123 .
- SM optical fiber 1 has a refractive index profile 600 in which the indent A with a sufficient width is formed at the center portion of the core region.
- the second step is constituted by a first sub-process of forming, around the outer periphery of the first soot body 153 , an inner soot body to be the inner core 130 a of the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the inner core 130 a being formed around the outer periphery of the second core portion 120 and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fourth value ⁇ n 3a ( ⁇ n 2 ); and a second sub-process of forming, around the outer periphery of the inner soot body, an outer soot body to be an outer core 130 b of the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the outer core 130 b being formed around the outer periphery of the inner core 130 a and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fifth value ⁇ n 3b ( ⁇
- the fourth method of manufacturing the SM optical fiber according to the present invention comprises, as shown in FIG. 11, a first step of forming, around the outer periphery of the cylindrical glass rod 500 , a first soot body 124 to be the second core portion 120 after vitrification, the second core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the second value ⁇ n 2 ; a second step of forming, around the outer periphery of the first soot body 124 , a second soot body 134 to be the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the third core portion 130 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the third value ⁇ n 3 (> ⁇ n 2 ); a third step of forming, around the second soot body 134 , a third soot body 214 to be the cladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification; a fourth step of pulling out the glass rod 500 , and heating and
- This fourth manufacturing method belongs to the OVD method.
- the glass rod 114 to be the first core portion 110 after vitrification is inserted into the sintered body 341 , and thus formed composite body is integrated so as to obtain the optical fiber preform 340 .
- thus obtained SM optical fiber 1 has a refractive index profile 600 in which the indent A with a sufficient width is formed at the center portion of the core region.
- the second step is constituted by a first sub-process of forming, around the outer periphery of the first soot body 124 , an inner soot body to be an inner core 130 a of the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the inner core 130 a being formed around the outer periphery of the second core portion 120 and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fourth value ⁇ n 3a ( ⁇ n 2 ); and a second sub-process of forming, around the outer periphery of the inner soot body, an outer soot body to be an outer core 130 b of the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the outer core 130 b being formed around the outer periphery of the inner core 130 a and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fourth value ⁇ n 3b ( ⁇
- An SM optical fiber 10 comprises, as shown in FIG. 22, an inner core portion 150 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to an outer cladding portion 260 of ⁇ n 4 and an outer diameter of d; an outer core portion 160 formed around the outer periphery of the inner core portion 150 , the outer core portion 160 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding portion 260 of ⁇ n 5 ( ⁇ n 4 ) and an outer diameter of e; an inner cladding portion 250 formed around the outer periphery of the outer core portion 160 , the inner cladding portion 250 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding portion 260 of ⁇ n 6 ( ⁇ n 5 and ⁇ 0) and an outer diameter of f; and the outer cladding portion 260 formed around the outer periphery of the inner cladding portion 250 , the outer cladding portion 260 having a predetermined refractive index (higher than that of
- the inner cladding portion 250 and the outer cladding portion 260 satisfy the following relationship:
- the refractive index profile 800 of the SM optical fiber 10 does not always have a clear step-like form.
- the outer diameter d of the inner core portion 150 is defined by a diameter in the boundary portion between the inner core portion 150 and the outer core portion 160 at which the relative refractive index difference is ( ⁇ n 4 + ⁇ n 5 )/2;
- the outer diameter e of the outer core portion 160 is defined by a diameter in the boundary portion between the outer core portion 160 and the inner cladding portion 250 at which the relative refractive index difference is ( ⁇ n 5 + ⁇ n 6 )/2;
- the outer diameter f of the inner cladding portion 250 is defined by a diameter in the boundary portion between the inner cladding portion 250 and the outer cladding portion 260 at which the relative refractive index difference is ( ⁇ n 4 + ⁇ n c )/2.
- the mean the relative refractive index differences of the respective glass regions 150 , 160 , and 250 are defined on the basis of the refractive index of the outer cladding portion 260 , the means relative refractive index difference ⁇ n c of the outer cladding portion 260 with respect to itself is 0.
- the inventors have also confirmed that, when a region having a low refractive index (inner cladding portion 250 ) is disposed outside of the core region as in the case of the above-mentioned configuration, the dispersion slope can be reduced without any decrease in MFD.
- the effect on reducing the dispersion-slope becomes greater as the indent C in the refractive index profile 800 is wider or deeper. Since this profile leads to increase in bending loss, however, there is a limit to the reducing of dispersion slope.
- a fiber having a refractive index profile disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 63-43107 has been suggested. In this publication, one of objects is to decrease glass additives, while attaining a higher relative refractive index difference at the core region (without changing the form of profile).
- FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention and a refractive index profile thereof;
- FIGS. 2 A- 2 C are views showing various refractive index profiles of the single-mode optical fiber of FIG. 1 obtained by changing the first value ⁇ n 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a view showing a configuration of an applied example of the first embodiment of the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention and a refractive index profile thereof;
- FIGS. 4 A- 4 C are views showing various refractive index profiles of the single-mode optical fiber of FIG. 3 obtained by changing the first and fourth values ⁇ n 1 and ⁇ n 3a .
- FIGS. 5 A- 5 D are processes for explaining a first method of fabricating the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a view showing a drawing step for an optical fiber preform obtained by the first fabricating method shown in FIGS. 5 A- 5 D;
- FIGS. 7 A- 7 E are processes for explaining a second method of fabricating the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a view showing a drawing step for an optical fiber preform obtained by the second fabricating method shown in FIGS. 7 A- 7 E;
- FIGS. 9 A- 9 G are processes for explaining a third method of fabricating the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a view showing a drawing step for an optical fiber preform obtained by the third fabricating method shown in FIGS. 9 A- 9 G;
- FIGS. 11 A- 11 G are processes for explaining a fourth method of fabricating the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is a view showing a drawing step for an optical fiber preform obtained by the fourth fabricating method shown in FIGS. 11 A- 11 G;
- FIG. 13 is a graph for explaining a relationship between wavelength and dispersion in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 14 is a graph for explaining a relationship between wavelength and dispersion in the conventional single-mode optical fiber
- FIG. 15 is a graph showing a relationship between a ⁇ ( ⁇ n 2 ⁇ n 1 )/(b ⁇ n 2 ) and dispersion slope in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 16 is a graph showing a relationship between (c a ⁇ b) ⁇ ( ⁇ n 3b ⁇ n 3a )/(c ⁇ n 3b ) and dispersion slope in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 17 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and ⁇ n 3 in the single-mode optical-fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 18 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and ⁇ n 2 in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 19 is a graph showing a relationship between b/c and cut-off wavelength in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 20 is a graph showing a relationship between b/c and 32 mm ⁇ bending loss in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 21 is a graph showing a relationship between b/c and 30 mm ⁇ bending loss in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 22 is a view showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention and a refractive index profile thereof;
- FIG. 23 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and e ⁇
- FIG. 1 is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the first embodiment of the SM optical fiber according to the present invention and a refractive index profile 600 thereof.
- An SM optical fiber 1 according to the present invention is an optical fiber mainly composed of silica glass comprising a core region having a predetermined refractive index and a cladding portion 200 which is formed around the outer periphery of the core region and whose refractive index is set lower than that of the core region.
- the core region comprises a first core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of a first value ⁇ n, and an outer diameter of a; a second core portion 120 formed around the outer periphery of the first core portion 110 , the second core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of a second value ⁇ n 2 (> ⁇ n 1 ) and an outer diameter of b; and a third core portion 130 formed around the outer periphery of the second core portion 120 , the third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of a third value ⁇ n 3 ( ⁇ n 2 ) and an outer diameter of c.
- the abscissa of the refractive index profile 600 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to positions on line L 1 in a cross section (plane perpendicular to the advancing direction of propagating signal light) of the SM optical fiber 1 . Further, in this refractive index profile 600 , regions 115 , 125 , 135 , and 205 correspond to relative refractive index differences at positions on the line L 1 in the first core portion 110 , second core portion 120 , third core portion 130 , and cladding portion 200 , respectively.
- relative refractive index difference ⁇ is defined as:
- n c is mean refractive index of the cladding 200 which is the reference
- n t is mean refractive index of each of the glass regions 110 , 120 , and 130 .
- the mean ⁇ n 1 of the relative refractive index difference of the first core portion 110 having a mean refractive index n 1 with respect to the cladding portion 200 having the mean refractive index n c is given by (n 1 2 ⁇ n c 2 )/2n c 2 .
- the glass region whose mean refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 is a negative value corresponds to a glass region having a mean refractive index lower than the mean refractive index n c of the cladding portion 200 .
- mean refractive index refers to a surface mean which is obtained when the mean of refractive indices at respective positions in a predetermined glass region is taken on a cross section perpendicular to the advancing direction of signal light (direction perpendicular to the line L 1 ) in the SM optical fiber.
- the mean relative refractive index difference is given by the above-mentioned expression based on the mean refractive index in each glass region.
- the SM optical fiber 1 has a refractive index profile 600 in which an indent A (depression) with a sufficient width is provided at the center part of the core region.
- This indent A is defined when the first core portion 110 and the second core portion 120 satisfy the following relationship:
- the third value ⁇ n 3 and the second value ⁇ n 2 are respectively set to at least 0.03% and at least 0.4%.
- the SM optical fiber 1 is designed so as to attain 0.1 ⁇ b/c ⁇ 0.4. More preferably, it is designed to satisfy 0.1 ⁇ b/c ⁇ 0.3.
- a ⁇ ( ⁇ n 2 ⁇ n 1 )/(b ⁇ n 2 ) is preferably 0.5 or less.
- the refractive index profile 600 of the SM optical fiber 1 according to this invention can have a variety of profiles as shown in FIGS. 2 A- 2 C by changing the first value ⁇ n 1 .
- FIG. 2A shows the refractive index profile 600 where the first value ⁇ n 1 is set lower than the third value ⁇ n 3 ;
- FIG. 2C the refractive index profile 600 set such that the first value ⁇ n 1 has a negative value (a state that the first core portion 110 has a lower refractive index than that of the cladding portion 200 .)
- FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of an applied example of the first embodiment of the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1 and a refractive index profile 700 thereof.
- the third core portion 130 is constituted by an inner core 130 a formed around the outer periphery of the second core portion 120 , the inner core 130 a having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of a fourth value ⁇ n 3a ( ⁇ n 2 ) and an outer diameter of c a ( ⁇ c), and an outer core 130 b spaced from the second core portion 120 by way of the inner core 130 a , the outer core 130 b having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of a fifth value ⁇ n 3b ( ⁇ n 2 and > ⁇ n 3a ) and an outer diameter of c.
- an indent B (depression) is formed at a region corresponding to the third core portion 130 (including the inner core 130 a and the outer core 130 b ).
- the inner core 130 a and the outer core 130 b satisfy the following relationship:
- indent B having sufficient width and depth is provided in the profile region corresponding to the third core portion 130 , as in the case of the effect obtained by the above-mentioned indent A, seepage of light into the cladding portion 200 can be made greater, thereby decreasing the gradient of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength and consequently reducing the absolute value of dispersion slope.
- regions 135 a and 135 b correspond to relative refractive index differences at positions on the line L 1 in the inner core 130 a and the outer core 130 b in the third core portion 130 , respectively.
- the refractive index profile 700 of the SM optical fiber 1 according to this invention can have a variety of profiles as shown in FIGS. 4 A- 4 C by changing the first and fourth values ⁇ n 1 and ⁇ n 3a .
- FIG. 4A shows the refractive index profile 700 where the first value ⁇ n 1 is set lower than the fourth value ⁇ n 3a ;
- the refractive index profile 700 set such that both the first and fourth values ⁇ n 1 and ⁇ n 3a have a negative value (a state that the first core portion 110 and the inner core 130 a having a lower refractive index than that of the cladding portion 200 .)
- the fourth value ⁇ n 3a may have zero in FIG. 4B (the inner core 130 a having the same refractive index as that of the cladding portion 200 ), and also the first and fourth values ⁇ n 1 and ⁇ n 3a can be independently set even in any refractive index profile 700 .
- the SM optical fiber of FIG. 1 is fabricated as explained in the following.
- FIGS. 5 A- 5 D and 6 are processes for explaining a first method of fabricating the SM optical fiber 1 having a refractive index profile 600 as shown in FIG. 1.
- This first fabricating method belongs to the MCVD method. Note that, described below, the large-and-small relation between the relative index differences ⁇ n 1 , ⁇ n 2 , and ⁇ n 3 of the respective glass regions to the cladding portion is changeable as shown in FIGS. 2 A- 2 C.
- a glass tube 201 which is mainly composed of silica glass and is to be the cladding portion 200 is heated with a burner 400 , while flowing a material gas containing at least Si and Ge through a hollow part of the glass tube 201 , thereby forming, on the inner surface of the glass tube 201 , a first soot body 131 to be the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the third core portion 130 having a relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of ⁇ n 3 (see FIG. 5A).
- the glass tube 201 in which the first soot body 131 is formed is heated, while flowing a material gas containing at least Si and Ge through the hollow part of the glass tube 201 , thereby forming, on the inner surface of the first soot body 131 , a second soot body 151 to be a glass region having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of ⁇ n 2 (> ⁇ n 3 ) after vitrification (see FIG. 5B).
- the glass tube 201 in which the first soot body 131 and the second soot body 151 are formed is heated, while flowing a halogen gas through the hollow part of the glass tube 201 , so as to diffuse germanium on the inner surface side of the second soot body 151 .
- an outer soot body 121 to be the second core portion 120 after vitrification the second core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of ⁇ n 2
- an inner soot body 111 to be the first core portion 110 after vitrification the first core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of ⁇ n 1 ( ⁇ n 2 ) are obtained (see FIG. 5C).
- the glass tube 210 in which the first soot body 131 , the outer soot body 121 , and the inner soot body 111 are formed is heated and collapsed so as to obtain a transparent optical fiber preform 310 (see FIG. 5D).
- the optical fiber preform 310 is drawn so as to yield the SM optical fiber 1 in which the first core portion 110 and the second core portion 120 satisfy the following relationship:
- the glass tube 201 in which the first soot body 131 is formed is heated, while flowing a halogen gas (e.g. chlorine) through the hollow part of the glass tube 201 , so as to diffuse germanium contained in the inner surface side of the first soot body 131 , thereby reducing the germanium concentration of the inner surface side of the first soot body 131 as compared with that of the glass tube side of the first soot body 131 .
- a halogen gas e.g. chlorine
- an inner soot body to be the inner core 130 a of the third core portion 130 after vitrification the inner core 130 a having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fourth value ⁇ n 3a ( ⁇ n 2 ) and being formed around the outer periphery of the second core portion 120
- an outer soot body to be the outer core 130 b of the third core portion 130 after vitrification the outer core 130 b having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fifth value ⁇ n 3b ( ⁇ n 2 and > ⁇ n 3a )and being formed around the outer periphery of the inner core 130 a are obtained.
- the optical fiber preform 310 is drawn so as to obtain the SM optical fiber 1 in which the outer diameter of the inner core 130 a of the third core portion 130 is c a ( ⁇ c), the outer diameter of the outer core 130 b of the third core portion 130 is c, and the inner core 130 a and the outer core 130 b satisfy the following relationship:
- first and fourth values ⁇ n 1 and ⁇ n 3a can be independently set even in any refractive index profile 700 as shown in FIGS. 4 A- 4 C.
- FIGS. 7 A- 7 E and 8 are processes for explaining a second method of fabricating the SM optical fiber 1 having the refractive index profile 600 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A- 2 C.
- This second fabricating method belongs to the VAD method. Note that, described below, the large-and-small relation between the relative index differences ⁇ n 1 , ⁇ n 2 , and ⁇ n 3 of the respective glass regions to the cladding portion is changeable as shown in FIGS. 2 A- 2 C.
- burners 410 , 420 , 430 , and 440 are respectively used to form a first soot body 112 to be the first core portion 110 after vitrification, the first core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of ⁇ n 1 ; a second soot body 122 to be the second core portion 120 after vitrification and formed around the outer periphery of first soot body 112 , the second core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of ⁇ n 2 (> ⁇ n 1 ); a third soot body 132 to be the third core portion 130 after vitrification and formed around the outer periphery of second soot body 122 , the third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of ⁇ n 3 ( ⁇ n 2 ), and a fourth soot body 212 to be the inner part of the
- composite soot body 321 is heated and stretched to yield a transparent composite glass body 322 (see FIGS. 7B and 7C).
- a burner 450 is used to form, around the outer periphery of the composite glass body 322 , a fifth soot body 222 to be an outer part of the cladding portion 200 after vitrification. Then, it is stretched to obtain a transparent optical fiber preform 320 (see FIGS. 7D and 7E).
- the optical fiber preform 320 is drawn so as to yield the SM optical fiber 1 in which the first core portion 110 and the second core portion 120 satisfy the following relationship:
- an inner soot body to be the inner core 130 a of the third core portion 130 after vitrification the inner core 130 a having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fourth value ⁇ n 3a ( ⁇ n 2 ) and formed around the outer periphery of the second core portion 120
- an outer soot body to be the outer core 130 b of the third core portion 130 after vitrification the outer core 130 b having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fifth value ⁇ n 3b ( ⁇ n 2 and > ⁇ n 3a ) and formed around the outer periphery of the inner core 130 a are successively formed, as the third soot body 132 , around the outer periphery of the second soot body 122 .
- the optical fiber preform 320 is drawn so as to obtain the SM optical fiber 1 in which the outer diameter of the inner core 130 a of the third core portion 130 is c a ( ⁇ c), the outer diameter of the outer core 130 b of the third core portion 130 is c, and the inner core 130 a and the outer core 130 b satisfy the following relationship:
- first and fourth values ⁇ n 1 and ⁇ n 3a can be independently set even in any refractive index profile 700 as shown in FIGS. 4 A- 4 C.
- FIGS. 9 A- 9 G and 10 are processes for explaining a third method of fabricating the SM optical fiber 1 having the refractive index profile 600 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A- 2 C.
- This third fabricating method belongs to the OVD method. Note that, described below, the large-and-small relation between the relative index differences ⁇ n 1 , ⁇ n 2 , and ⁇ n 3 of the respective glass regions to the cladding portion is changeable as shown in FIGS. 2 A- 2 C.
- a first soot body 153 to be a glass region having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of ⁇ n 2 after vitrification is formed (see FIG. 9A).
- a second soot body 133 to be the third core portion 130 after vitrification the third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of ⁇ n 3 ( ⁇ n 2 ) is formed (see FIG. 9B).
- a third soot body 213 to be an inner part of the cladding portion 200 after vitrification is formed (see FIG. 9C).
- the glass rod 500 is pulled out, and a tubular soot body 331 composed of the first soot body 152 , second soot body 133 , and third soot body 213 is heated, while flowing a halogen gas through a hollow part of the tubular soot body 331 , so as to diffuse germanium on the inner surface side of the first soot body 152 .
- tubular soot body 331 is heated and collapsed. Further, it is stretched to obtain a transparent composite glass body 332 (see FIG. 9E).
- the burner 450 is used to form, around the outer periphery of the composite glass body 332 , a fourth soot body 223 to be an outer part of the cladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification. Then, it is stretched to obtain a transparent optical fiber preform 330 (see FIGS. 9F and 9G).
- the optical fiber preform 330 is drawn so as to yield the SM optical fiber 1 in which the first core portion 110 and the second core portion 120 satisfy the following relationship:
- an inner soot body to be the inner 3 core 130 a of the third core portion 130 after vitrification the inner core 130 a having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fourth value ⁇ n 3a ( ⁇ n 2 ) and being formed around the outer periphery of the second core portion 120
- an outer soot body to be the outer core 130 b of the third core portion 130 after vitrification the outer core 130 b having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fifth value ⁇ n 3b ( ⁇ n 2 and > ⁇ n 3a ) and being formed around the outer periphery of the inner core 130 a are successively formed, as the second soot body 133 , around the outer periphery of the first soot body 153 .
- the optical fiber preform 330 is drawn so as to obtain the SM optical fiber 1 in which the outer diameter of the inner core 130 a of the third core portion 130 is c a ( ⁇ c), the outer diameter of the outer core 130 b of the third core portion 130 is c, and the inner core 130 a and the outer core 130 b satisfy the following relationship:
- first and fourth values ⁇ n 1 and ⁇ n 3a can be independently set even in any refractive index profile 700 as shown in FIGS. 4 A- 4 C.
- FIGS. 11 A- 11 G and 12 are process charts for explaining a fourth method of making the SM optical fiber 1 in accordance with the present invention.
- This fourth manufacturing method belongs to the OVD method. Note that, described below, the large-and-small relation between the relative index differences ⁇ n 1 , ⁇ n 2 , and ⁇ n 3 of the respective glass regions to the cladding portion is changeable as shown in FIGS. 2A 2 C.
- FIGS. 11 A- 11 G initially, around the cylindrical glass rod 500 , a first soot body 124 to be the second core portion 120 after vitrification, the second core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of ⁇ n 2 is formed (see FIG. 11A). Subsequently, around the outer periphery of the first soot body 124 , a second soot body 134 to be the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the third core portion 130 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of ⁇ n 3 ( ⁇ n 2 ) is formed (see FIG. 11B). Further, around the outer periphery of the second soot body 134 , a third soot body 214 to be an inner part of the cladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification is formed (see FIG. 1C).
- the glass rod 500 is pulled out; the first soot body 124 , the second soot body 134 , and the third soot body 214 are heated and sintered; and then a cylindrical glass rod 114 to be the first core portion 110 after vitrification, the first core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of ⁇ n 1 ( ⁇ n 2 ) is inserted into a hollow part of thus sintered body 341 and heated so that they are integrated together. Further, thus integrated body is stretched to obtain a transparent glass body 342 (see FIGS. 11D and 11E).
- the burner 450 is used to form, around the outer periphery of the composite glass body 342 , a fourth soot body 224 to be an outer part of the cladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification. Then, it is stretched to obtain a transparent optical fiber preform 340 (see FIGS. 11F and 11G).
- the optical fiber preform 340 is drawn so as to yield the SM optical fiber 1 in which the first core portion 110 and the second core portion 120 satisfy the following relationship:
- a cylinder having a relative refractive index difference of 0.3% is inserted into the hollow part of the soot body formed by the OVD method, and they are integrated together, while being heated, to make the optical fiber preform.
- the value of a ⁇ ( ⁇ n 2 ⁇ n 1 )/(b ⁇ n 2 ) is 0.5, which is 25 times as large as 0.02 which is obtained without insertion of the cylinder.
- an inner soot body to be the inner core 130 a of the third core portion 130 after vitrification the inner core 130 a having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fourth value ⁇ n 3a ( ⁇ n 2 ) and formed around the outer periphery of the second core portion 120
- an outer soot body to be the outer core 130 b of the third core portion 130 after vitrification the outer core 130 b having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the fifth value ⁇ n 3b ( ⁇ n 2 and > ⁇ n 3a ) and formed around the outer periphery of the inner core 130 a are successively formed, as the second soot body 134 , around the outer periphery of the first soot body 124 .
- the optical fiber preform 340 is drawn so as to obtain the SM optical fiber 1 in which the outer diameter of the inner core 130 a of the third core portion 130 is c a ( ⁇ c), the outer diameter of the outer core 130 b of the third core portion 130 is c, and the inner core 130 a and the outer core 130 b satisfy the following relationship:
- first and fourth values ⁇ n 1 and ⁇ n 3a can be independently set even in any refractive index profile 700 as shown in FIGS. 4 A- 4 C.
- the SM optical fiber normally has a refractive index profile in which the refractive index near the center of the core has a constant value or decreases toward the outside, in this case, gradients of the material dispersion and the structure dispersion with respect to wavelength have polarities opposite to each other, while the material dispersion normally has a larger absolute value of gradient. Accordingly, the total dispersion obtained as the material dispersion and structure dispersion are added together has an intrinsic gradient (gradient of a dispersion curve at the zero dispersion slope being referred to as “dispersion slope” in particular) with respect to wavelength.
- the SM optical fiber 1 in accordance with the present invention is constituted by the first core portion 110 whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 is ⁇ n 1 and whose diameter is a; the second core portion 120 whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 is ⁇ n 2 (> ⁇ n 1 ) and whose outer diameter is b, formed around the outer periphery of the first core portion 110 ; the third core portion 130 whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 is ⁇ n 3 ( ⁇ n 2 ) and whose outer diameter is c; and the cladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index formed around the outer periphery of the third core portion 130 .
- the third core portion 130 may be constituted by the inner core 130 a and the outer core 130 b so as to attain a refractive index profile in which an indent is provided.
- FIG. 13 is a graph for explaining a relationship between wavelength and dispersion in the SM optical fiber 1 of FIG. 1.
- the bending loss characteristic does not deteriorate so much as that in the conventional SM optical fiber. It is due to the fact, when MFD values of these portions are set to the same value, their cut-off wavelengths substantially equal to each other, while the bending loss characteristic is determined by the value of (MFD)/(cut-off wavelength).
- an SM optical fiber having a step-form refractive index profile mainly used as a transmission line for light of 1.3- ⁇ m wavelength band since seepage of light into the cladding portion is small, the reducing of dispersion slope cannot be expected even when the relative refractive index difference at the center part of the core is made small.
- FIG. 15 is a graph showing a relationship between a ⁇ ( ⁇ n 2 ⁇ n 1 )/(b ⁇ n 2 ) and dispersion slope.
- ⁇ n 2 1.0%
- ⁇ n 3 0.12%
- b/c 0.25
- the outer diameter c of the third core portion 130 is changed such that MFD becomes 8.0 ⁇ m or greater (wherein the ratio of a, b, and c is unchanged). It can be seen from FIG. 15 that the effect on lowering the dispersion slope is obtained when
- FIG. 16 is a graph showing a relationship between (c a ⁇ b) ⁇ ( ⁇ n 3b ⁇ n 3a )/(c ⁇ n 3b ) and dispersion slope in the SM optical fiber 1 of FIG. 3.
- a ⁇ ( ⁇ n 2 ⁇ n 1 )/(b ⁇ n 2 ) is set to 0.1
- c ⁇ n 3b is changed so as to alter the size of the indent B. It can be seen from FIG. 16 that the effect on reducing the dispersion slope is obtained when
- the dispersion slope can be further lowered as compared with that in the SM optical fiber having a refractive index profile without the indent.
- FIG. 17 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and ⁇ n 3 (corresponding to ⁇ n 3b in the SM optical fiber 1 of FIG. 3) in the SM optical fiber 1 of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 18 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and ⁇ n 2 in the SM optical fiber 1 shown in FIG. 1.
- the outer diameter c of the third core portion 130 is changed such that the zero dispersion wavelength becomes 1,560 nm, the bending loss becomes not greater than 0.1 dB/m (30 mm ⁇ bending loss) which is the level where the bending loss is practically free of problems, MFD becomes 8.0 ⁇ m or larger, and the cut-off wavelength becomes 1.5 ⁇ m or less (wherein the ratio of a, b, and c is unchanged). It can be seen from FIG. 18 that the effect of the present invention (due to the fact that the relative refractive index difference at the center part is low) cannot be obtained when ⁇ n 2 ⁇ 0.4%.
- FIG. 19 is a graph showing a relationship between b/c and cut-off wavelength in the SM optical fiber 1 in accordance with the present invention.
- ⁇ n 2 1.0%
- ⁇ n 3 0.12%
- a ⁇ ( ⁇ n 2 ⁇ n 1 )/(b ⁇ n 2 ) 0.3
- a value at which MFD becomes 8.0 ⁇ m is selected as the outer diameter c of the third core portion 130 . It can be seen from FIG. 19 that, when b/c ⁇ 0.1, the cut-off wavelength is longer than the signal light wavelength, thereby deviating from a single-mode condition.
- FIG. 20 is a graph showing a relationship between b/c and 32 mm ⁇ bending loss in the SM optical fiber 1 of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 21 is a graph showing a relationship between b/c and 30 mm ⁇ bending loss in the SM optical fiber 1 .
- a value at which MFD becomes 8.0 ⁇ m is selected as the outer diameter c of the third core portion 130 .
- 32 mm ⁇ bending loss is a value (see Bellcore Standard 4.2.6) obtained when an optical-fiber to be measured is wound around a mandrel having a diameter of 32 mm for 100 turns and then its transmission loss with respect to light having a wavelength of 1,550 nm is converted into a transmission loss per unit number of turns (one turn).
- the 30 mm ⁇ bending loss is a value obtained when a mandrel having a diameter of 30 mm is used.
- FIG. 22 is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the second embodiment of the SM optical fiber according to the present invention and a refractive index profile 800 thereof.
- this SM optical fiber 10 comprises an inner core portion 150 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to an outer cladding portion 260 of ⁇ n 4 and an outer diameter of d; an outer core portion 160 formed around the outer periphery of the inner core portion 150 , the outer core portion 160 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding portion 260 of ⁇ n 5 ( ⁇ n 4 ) and an outer diameter of e; an inner cladding portion 250 formed around the outer periphery of the outer core portion 160 , the inner cladding portion 250 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding portion 260 of ⁇ n 6 ( ⁇ n 5 and ⁇ 0) and an outer diameter of f; and the outer cladding portion 260 having a predetermined refractive index
- the refractive index of the inner cladding portion 250 is set lower than that of the outer cladding portion 260 .
- the abscissa of the refractive index profile 800 shown in FIG. 22 corresponds to positions on line L 2 in a cross section (plane perpendicular to the advancing direction of propagating signal light) of the SM optical fiber 10 .
- regions 155 , 165 , 255 , and 265 correspond to relative refractive index differences at positions on the line L 2 in the inner core portion 150 , outer core portion 160 , inner cladding portion 250 , and outer cladding portion 260 , respectively.
- the SM optical fiber 10 of FIG. 22 satisfies the relationship of
- the SM optical fiber 10 in accordance with the second embodiment can be fabricated by well-known MCVD, CVD, or OVD method.
- the SM optical fiber 10 of FIG. 22, as in the case of the SM optical fiber 1 of FIG. 1, has a configuration in which the absolute value of gradient of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength decreases such that the dispersion slope is reduced in a wide wavelength range.
- the effect on lowering the dispersion slope becomes greater as the width (f ⁇ e) of the inner cladding portion 250 is smaller or the difference between ⁇ n 6 ( ⁇ 0) and ⁇ n 4 or between ⁇ n 6 and ⁇ n 5 is larger.
- FIG. 23 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and e ⁇
- ⁇ n 4 0.9%
- ⁇ n 5 0.10%
- d/e 0.28
- the outer diameter e of the outer core portion 160 is set so that MFD becomes 8.0 ⁇ m. It can be seen from FIG. 23 that, when e ⁇
- ⁇ n 5 ; i.e., there is no inner cladding portion) is quite small.
- FIG. 24 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and f/e when e ⁇
- /(f ⁇ e) 0.06.
- ⁇ n 4 0.9%
- ⁇ n 5 0.10%
- d/e 0.28
- the outer diameter e of the outer core portion 160 is set so that MFD becomes 8.0 ⁇ m. It can be seen from FIG. 24 that, in the case where f/e>4, the effect on lowering the dispersion slope can hardly be obtained even when the absolute value of relative refractive index difference ⁇ n 6 is made small so as to constantly hold the value of e ⁇
- the SM optical fiber in accordance with the present invention has a refractive index profile in which an indent (well) with sufficient width and depth is provided at the center part of the core, so that the dispersion slope can be reduced in a wide wavelength range.
- difference in dispersion value among these wavelengths can be suppressed, thereby enabling dispersion compensation advantageously.
- the SM optical fiber according to the present invention can be suitably manufactured.
- the refractive index of the inner cladding portion having an appropriate width is made lower than that of the outer cladding portion by a predetermined level, so that the gradient (absolute value) of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength decreases, so that the dispersion slope can be reduced.
- difference in dispersion value among these wavelengths can be suppressed, thereby enabling dispersion compensation advantageously.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a single-mode optical fiber having a configuration which enables lowering of dispersion slope while securing a sufficient MFD. This single-mode optical fiber has a refractive index profile in which an indent with a sufficient width is provided at the center of its core region. In particular, this indent satisfies the following relationship:
a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≧0.04
when the first core portion in the single-mode optical fiber has a mean relative refractive index difference of Δn1 with respect to the cladding portion and an outer diameter of a while the second core portion has a mean relative refractive index difference of Δn2 with respect to the cladding portion and an outer diameter of b.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a single-mode optical fiber suitable for a transmission line in digital communications and a method of fabricating the same.
- 2. Related Background Art
- Conventionally, in optical communication systems adopting a single-mode optical fiber (referred to as “SM optical fiber” hereinafter) as their transmission line, light of 1.3-μm wavelength band or 1.55-μm wavelength band has often been used. Recently, from the viewpoint of lowering transmission loss, the use of 1.55-μm wavelength band light has been increasing. Such an SM optical fiber applied to transmission lines for 1.55-μm wavelength band light (referred to as “1.55-μm SM optical fiber” hereinafter) has been designed such that its wavelength dispersion (phenomenon in which pulse wave broadens due to the fact that velocity of propagation of light varies according to wavelength) becomes zero (a dispersion-shifted fiber whose zero dispersion wavelength is set 1.55 μm). Currently, as such a dispersion-shifted fiber, optical fibers having a refractive index profile of a dual-shape type such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-18161 or a segmented-core type disclosed in “Relation between Macrobending Losses and Cutoff Wavelength in Dispersion-Shifted Segmented-Core Fiber,”Electronics Letter, No. 22, No. 11, p. 574, 1986 have been mainly used.
- Also, in recent years, as long-distance transmission has become possible because of the advent of optical amplifier, in order to prevent the four-lightwave mixing, which is one of nonlinear optical effects, there has also been used an optical fiber in which the above-mentioned refractive index profile is modified so as to shift the zero dispersion wavelength from 1.55 μm to the shorter or longer wavelength side. Here, the nonlinear optical effects refer to phenomenons in which signal light pulse is distorted in proportion to density or the like of optical intensity. They become a factor restricting the transmission rate.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a single-mode optical fiber having a configuration which realizes both reducing of dispersion slope and a sufficient mode-field diameter, and a method of fabricating the same. In order to attain such a single-mode optical fiber, the inventors have studied the conventional single-mode optical fiber as explained in the following.
- Since the conventional 1.55-μm SM optical fiber has a zero dispersion wavelength set near 1.55 μm, the wavelength dispersion thereof gradually increases as the signal light wavelength deviates farther from 1.55 μm. In particular, in the case where the absolute value of its dispersion slope (e.g., differential coefficient, at the zero dispersion wavelength, of a curve indicating dispersion with respect to the signal light wavelength shown in each of FIGS. 13 and 14) is large, the ratio of increase in the absolute value of wavelength dispersion unfavorably becomes higher when the zero dispersion wavelength of the SM optical fiber or the wavelength of a light source deviates from 1.55 μm. Also, in long-distance transmission, since a wavelength dispersion is intentionally generated in order to suppress the above-mentioned nonlinear optical effects, dispersion-shifted fibers in general are designed such that the zero dispersion wavelength thereof is slightly shifted from the signal light wavelength. Accordingly, in the SM optical fiber, which is a transmission line, it is necessary to lower the absolute value of dispersion slope or to effect dispersion compensation (in which signal light is made to pass through an SM optical fiber having a reverse dispersion characteristics) in the transmission line.
- In wavelength-divided multiplex transmission (referred to as “WDM” hereinafter) in which a plurality of wavelengths are transmitted as being overlaid on each other in order to increase the transmission rate, since a plurality of wavelengths near the zero dispersion wavelength are used, when the dispersion slope has a large absolute value, the difference among wavelength dispersion values at respective wavelengths may increase so much that dispersion cannot be compensated for. Accordingly, it is important to lower the absolute value of dispersion slope.
- In the refractive index profile of the conventional dual shape type or segmented-core type, as the absolute value of dispersion slope is made smaller, the mode-field diameter (referred to as “MFD” hereinafter) decreases or the bending loss increases, thereby making it inevitable for the lateral-pressure characteristic to deteriorate. As the connection characteristic deteriorates when the MFD is made too small, the lower limit thereof has conventionally been set. Also, in long-distance transmission using a light amplifier, nonlinear phenomenons are enhanced as MFD is lowered, thereby demanding increase in MFD. Also, deterioration in the side-pressure characteristic becomes an obstacle when SM optical fibers are formed into a cable. Accordingly, it is important to note that the reducing in absolute value of dispersion slope and the increase in MFD have a trade-off relationship therebetween.
- In the refractive index profile of dual shape type or segmented-core type, the refractive index near the center of core region has a constant value or decreases toward the outside. The core of an SM optical fiber having such a refractive index profile comprises an inner core at the center portion thereof and an outer core having a lower refractive index than the inner core. In order to decrease the absolute value of dispersion slope in this refractive index profile, the following three kinds of methods have been known:
- (1) Increase the outer core.
- (2) Increase the ratio of inner core diameter/outer core diameter.
- (3) Decrease relative refractive index difference of the inner core with respect to pure silica glass (where the outer core has a lower refractive index than that of the inner core).
- Nevertheless, the method of (1) leads to decrease in MFD, whereas the methods of (2) and (3) cause bending loss (increase in transmission loss in the state where the optical fiber is bent) to increase.
- The single-mode optical fiber (SM optical fiber) according to the present invention has a specific configuration in order to overcome the foregoing problems. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, an SM
optical fiber 1 according to the present invention is an optical fiber mainly composed of silica glass, comprising a core region having a predetermined refractive index and acladding portion 200 which is formed around the outer periphery of the core region and whose refractive index is set lower than that of the core region. The core region comprises afirst core portion 110 whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 is a first value Δn1 and whose outer diameter is a; asecond core portion 120 which is a glass region whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 is a second value Δn2 greater than the first value Δn1 and whose outer diameter is b, formed around the outer periphery of thefirst core portion 110; and athird core portion 130 which is a glass region whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 is a third value Δn3 which is smaller than the second value Δn2 and whose outer diameter is c, formed around the outer periphery of thesecond core portion 120. - In particular, in the SM
optical fiber 1 according to the present invention, thefirst core portion 110 and thesecond core portion 120 satisfy the following relationship: - a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≧0.04 (1)
- therebetween.
- Here, the
refractive index profile 600 of the SMoptical fiber 1 does not always have a clear step-like form. In such a case, the outer diameter a of thefirst core portion 110 is defined by a diameter in the boundary portion between thefirst core portion 110 and thesecond core portion 120 at which the relative refractive index difference is (Δn1+Δn2)/2; the outer diameter b of thesecond core portion 120 is defined by a diameter in the boundary portion between thesecond core portion 120 and thethird core portion 130 at which the relative refractive index difference is (Δn2+Δn3)/2; and the outer diameter c of, thesecond core portion 130 is defined by a diameter in the boundary portion between thethird core portion 130 and thecladding portion 200 at which the relative refractive index difference is (Δn3+Δnc)/2. Here, in the specification, since the mean relative refractive index differences of therespective glass regions cladding portion 200, the mean relative refractive index difference Δnc of thecladding portion 200 with respect to itself is 0. - Normally, in the SM optical fiber, two phenomenons, namely, a material dispersion in which velocity of propagation toward the longitudinal direction (direction in which signal light advances) becomes faster as the signal light has a longer wavelength and a structure dispersion in which velocity of propagation becomes faster as the signal light has a shorter wavelength, occur concurrently. Accordingly, such an SM optical fiber has a refractive index profile in which the refractive index near the core center has a constant value or decreases toward the outside. Here, gradients of the material dispersion and structure dispersion with respect to wavelength have polarities opposite to each other, while the material dispersion normally has a larger absolute value of gradient. Accordingly, in such an SM optical fiber, the total dispersion obtained as the material dispersion and structure dispersion are added together has a unique gradient (dispersion slope) inherent in each SM optical fiber with respect to the zero dispersion wavelength.
- The inventors have found out that, in the core portion of SM optical fibers having a refractive index profile of dual shape type or segmented-core type, when the relative refractive index difference of the center part of the core with respect to the cladding portion is reduced as compared with that of the core at the peripheral part, the absolute value of dispersion slope can be reduced without decreasing MFD or increasing the bending loss. Namely, in the refractive index profile, according as the region (indent indicated by mark “A” in the refractive index profile of FIG. 1) corresponding to the center part of the core is wider and deeper (a difference between the first and second values Δn1 and Δn2 is larger), the absolute value of dispersion slope can be reducer. In particular, the inventors have confirmed that the width of this indent A has a great effect on reducing the absolute value of dispersion slope, such that, when the width of this indent is insufficient (narrow), the effect on reducing the absolute value of dispersion slope can hardly be obtained. In this specification, “dispersion slope” used alone indicates its absolute value.
- As disclosed in “Low-Loss Dispersion-Shifted Single-Mode Fiber Manufactured by the OVD Process,”Journal of Lightwave Technology, Vol. LT-3, No. 5, p. 931, 1985, it has been known that a deep crack is formed at the region corresponding to the center part of the core portion in the refractive index profile of an SM optical fiber manufactured by OVD (Outside Vapor Deposition) method. This crack, however, is not intended for reducing the dispersion slope (absolute value of dispersion slope). Rather, it is non-intentionally generated as a matter of convenience in manufacture, and the aimed effects of the present invention cannot be expected since the width of this crack is too narrow. Also, though a crack such as that mentioned above is generated in MCVD (Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition) method, no effect on reducing the dispersion slope can be expected for the same reasons as those of the above-mentioned OVD method.
- In the SM
optical fiber 1 according to the present invention, by contrast, since the indent A in itsrefractive index profile 600 has a sufficient width (since thefirst core portion 110 and thesecond core portions 120 satisfy the above-mentioned relationship (1)), the absolute value of gradient of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength becomes smaller, thereby enabling the reducing of dispersion slope in a wide wavelength range. - Here, in order to attain a greater effect on reducing the dispersion slope as compared with the conventional SM optical fiber, it is preferable that the third value Δn3 be set to 0.03% or higher, and the second value Δn2 be set to 0.4% or higher.
- Also, the inventors have confirmed that, according to the requirement (that bending loss at a diameter of 32 mm (referred to as “32 mmφ bending loss” hereinafter) be 0.50 dB/turn or less with respect to light having a wavelength of 1,550 nm) indicated in Standard 4.2.6 Fiber Macrobend (Generic Requirement for optical Fiber and Fiber Optic Cable, GR-20-CORE,
Issue 1, September 1994) published by Bellcore of USA, b/c≦0.4. Here, since the cut-off wavelength becomes longer than the wavelength of the intended signal light when b/c≧0.1, it is preferable that 0.1≧b/c≧0.4. Further, thesecond core portion 120 and thethird core portion 130 preferably satisfy the relationship of 0.1≦b/c≦0.3 therebetween. It is due to the fact that the bending loss at a diameter of 30 mm (30 mmφ bending loss) of 0.1 dB/turn or less is generally recognized as a standard for preventing the transmission loss from increasing in the SM optical fiber applied to a cable of a tight configuration. - Also, the inventors have confirmed that, as the value of the above-mentioned relational expression (1) is increased, the effect on reducing the dispersion slope is maximized at about 0.5, whereas the dispersion slope rather increases thereafter (see FIG. 15). Accordingly, the
first core portion 110 and thesecond core portion 120 preferably satisfy the following relationship: - a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≦0.5 (2)
- therebetween.
- Further, in the SM
optical fiber 1 according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, thethird core portion 130 is preferably constituted by aninner core 130 a which is a glass region whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 is a fourth value Δn3a (<Δn2) and whose outer diameter is ca (<c) formed around the outer periphery of thesecond core portion 120 and anouter core 130 b which is a glass region whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 is a fifth value Δn3b (<Δn2 and >Δn3a) and whose outer diameter is c spaced from thesecond core portion 120 by way of theinner core 130 a. In other words, in therefractive index profile 700 of FIG. 3, an indent B is formed at a region corresponding to the third core portion 130 (including theinner core 130 a and theouter core 130 b). Here, theinner core 130 a and theouter core 130 b satisfy the following relationship: - 0.1≦(c a −b)·(Δn 3b −Δn 3a)/(c·Δn 3b)≦0.8 (3)
- therebetween.
- When the indent B having sufficient width and depth is provided in the profile region corresponding to the
third core portion 130, as in the case of the effect obtained by the above-mentioned indent A, seepage of light into thecladding portion 200 can be made greater, thereby decreasing the gradient (absolute value) of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength and consequently reducing the dispersion slope. - An effect on reducing the dispersion slope is obtained at the lower limit of the above relational expression (3) or higher, while being maximized at the upper limit thereof. Beyond this upper limit, the dispersion slope rather increases (see FIG. 16).
- The first method of manufacturing the SM optical fiber according to the present invention comprises, as shown in FIG. 5, a first step of preparing a glass tube201 which is to be the cladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index, and flowing a material gas containing at least Si and Ge through a hollow part of the glass tube 201, while heating the glass tube 201, thereby forming, on the inner surface of the glass tube 201, a first soot body 131 which is to be the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the third value Δn3; a second step of flowing a material gas containing at least Si and Ge through the hollow part of the glass tube 201 in which the first soot body 131 is formed, while heating the glass tube 201, thereby forming, on the inner surface of the first soot body 131, a second soot body 151 which is to be the first core portion 110 and the second core portion 120 after vitrification, the second core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the second value Δn2 (>Δn3), the first core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the first value Δn1 (<Δn2); a third step of flowing a halogen gas through the hollow part of the glass tube 201 in which the first soot body 131 and the second soot body 151 are formed, while heating the glass tube 201, thereby diffusing germanium contained in the inner surface side of the second soot body 151 so as to form an inner region 111 and an outer region 121 respectively having the germanium concentrations different from each other; a fourth step of heating and collapsing the glass tube 210 in which the first soot body 131 and the inner and outer regions 111 and 121 of the second soot body 151 are formed, thereby obtaining a transparent optical fiber preform 310; and a fifth step of drawing one end of thus obtained optical fiber preform 310 while heating it, thereby yielding the SM optical fiber 1 having the refractive index profile 600 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C.
- This first manufacturing method belongs to the MCVD method. In particular, in the third step, a halogen gas such as chlorine is flowed through the hollow part of the
glass tube 201, while the latter is heated, so as to diffuse germanium on the inner surface side of thesecond soot body 151, thereby intentionally reducing the relative refractive index difference of theinner region 111 to be thefirst core portion 110 after vitrification with respect to that of theouter region 121 to be thesecond core portion 120 after vitrification. Accordingly, thus obtained SMoptical fiber 1 has arefractive index profile 600 in which the indent A with a sufficient width is formed at the center part of the core region. - Here, in order to obtain the SM
optical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 700 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, the above-mentioned third step is effected at the above-mentioned first step. - The second method of manufacturing the SM optical fiber according to the present invention comprises, as shown in FIG. 7, a first step of forming a first soot body112 to be the first core portion 110 after vitrification, the first core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the first value Δn1; a second step of forming, around the outer periphery of the first soot body 112, a second soot body 122 to be the second core portion 120 after vitrification, the second core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the second value Δn2 (>Δn1); a third step of forming, around the outer periphery of the second soot body 122, a third soot body 132 to be the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the third core portion 130 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the third value Δn3 (<Δn2); a fourth step of forming, around the outer periphery of the third soot body 132, a fourth soot body 212 to be the cladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification; a fifth step of heating and collapsing a composite soot body 321 formed at the fourth step, thereby obtaining a transparent optical fiber preform 320; and a sixth step of drawing one end of thus obtained optical fiber preform 320 while heating it, thereby yielding the SM optical fiber 1 having the refractive index profile 600 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C.
- This second manufacturing method belongs to the VAD method. In particular, in the first step, a portion which is to be the
first core portion 110 after vitrification and is for forming the indent A with a sufficient width in the refractive index profile 60D is intentionally formed. Accordingly, thus obtained SMoptical fiber 1 has arefractive index profile 600 in which the indent A with a sufficient width is formed at the center portion of the core region. - Here, in order to obtain the SM
optical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 700 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, the third step is constituted by a first sub-process of forming, around the outer periphery of thesecond soot body 122, an inner soot body to be theinner core 130 a of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theinner core 130 a being formed around the outer periphery of thesecond core portion 120 and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fourth value Δn3a (<Δn2); and a second sub-process of forming, around the outer periphery of the inner soot body to be anouter core 130 b of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theouter core 130 b being formed around the outer periphery of theinner core 130 a and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fifth value Δn3b (<Δn2 and >Δn3a). - The third method of manufacturing the SM optical fiber according to the present invention comprises, as shown in FIG. 9, a first step of forming, around the outer periphery of a cylindrical glass rod500, a first soot body 153 to be the first core portion 110 and the second core portion 120 after vitrification, the first core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the first value Δn1, the second core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the second value Δn2 (>Δn1); a second step of forming, around the outer periphery of the first soot body 153, a second soot body 133 to be the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the third value Δn3 (<Δn2); a third step of forming, around the outer periphery of the second soot body 133, a third soot body 213 to be the cladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification; a fourth step of pulling out the glass rod 500 and flowing a halogen gas through a hollow part of a tubular soot body 331 comprising the first soot body 153, second soot body 133, and third soot body 213, while heating the tubular soot body 331, thereby diffusing germanium contained in the inner surface side of the first soot body 153 so as to obtain an inner soot body 113 and an outer soot body 123 respectively having the germanium concentrations different from each other; and a fifth step of heating and collapsing this tubular soot body 331 so as to obtain a transparent optical fiber preform 330; and a sixth step of drawing one end of thus obtained optical fiber preform 330 while heating it, thereby yielding the SM optical fiber 1 having the refractive index profile 600 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C.
- This third manufacturing method belongs to the OVD method. In particular, in the fourth step, a halogen gas such as chlorine is flowed through the hollow part of the
tubular soot body 331, while the latter is heated, so as to diffuse germanium on the inner surface side of thefirst soot body 153, thereby intentionally reducing the germanium concentration of theinner soot body 113 as compared with that of theouter soot body 123. Accordingly, thus obtained SMoptical fiber 1 has arefractive index profile 600 in which the indent A with a sufficient width is formed at the center portion of the core region. - Here, in order to obtain the SM
optical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 700 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, the second step is constituted by a first sub-process of forming, around the outer periphery of thefirst soot body 153, an inner soot body to be theinner core 130 a of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theinner core 130 a being formed around the outer periphery of thesecond core portion 120 and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fourth value Δn3a (<Δn2); and a second sub-process of forming, around the outer periphery of the inner soot body, an outer soot body to be anouter core 130 b of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theouter core 130 b being formed around the outer periphery of theinner core 130 a and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fifth value Δn3b (<Δn2 and >Δn3a). - The fourth method of manufacturing the SM optical fiber according to the present invention comprises, as shown in FIG. 11, a first step of forming, around the outer periphery of the cylindrical glass rod500, a first soot body 124 to be the second core portion 120 after vitrification, the second core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the second value Δn2; a second step of forming, around the outer periphery of the first soot body 124, a second soot body 134 to be the third core portion 130 after vitrification, the third core portion 130 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the third value Δn3 (>Δn2); a third step of forming, around the second soot body 134, a third soot body 214 to be the cladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification; a fourth step of pulling out the glass rod 500, and heating and sintering the first soot body 124, the second soot body 134, and the third soot body 214; a fifth step of inserting, into a hollow part of a sintered body 341 formed at the fourth step, a cylindrical glass rod 114 to be the first core portion 110 after vitrification, the first core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding portion 200 of the first value Δn1 (<Δn2), and heating and integrating thus formed composite body so as to obtain a transparent optical fiber preform 342; and a sixth step of drawing one end of a finally obtained optical fiber preform 340 while heating it, thereby yielding the SM optical fiber 1 having the refractive index profile 600 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C.
- This fourth manufacturing method belongs to the OVD method. In particular, in the fourth step, the glass rod114 to be the
first core portion 110 after vitrification is inserted into thesintered body 341, and thus formed composite body is integrated so as to obtain theoptical fiber preform 340. Accordingly, thus obtained SMoptical fiber 1 has arefractive index profile 600 in which the indent A with a sufficient width is formed at the center portion of the core region. - Here, in order to obtain the SM
optical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 700 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, the second step is constituted by a first sub-process of forming, around the outer periphery of thefirst soot body 124, an inner soot body to be aninner core 130 a of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theinner core 130 a being formed around the outer periphery of thesecond core portion 120 and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fourth value Δn3a (<Δn2); and a second sub-process of forming, around the outer periphery of the inner soot body, an outer soot body to be anouter core 130 b of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theouter core 130 b being formed around the outer periphery of theinner core 130 a and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fourth value Δn3b (<Δn2 and >Δn3a). - An SM
optical fiber 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises, as shown in FIG. 22, aninner core portion 150 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to anouter cladding portion 260 of Δn4 and an outer diameter of d; anouter core portion 160 formed around the outer periphery of theinner core portion 150, theouter core portion 160 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to theouter cladding portion 260 of Δn5 (<Δn4) and an outer diameter of e; aninner cladding portion 250 formed around the outer periphery of theouter core portion 160, theinner cladding portion 250 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to theouter cladding portion 260 of Δn6 (<Δn5 and <0) and an outer diameter of f; and theouter cladding portion 260 formed around the outer periphery of theinner cladding portion 250, theouter cladding portion 260 having a predetermined refractive index (higher than that of the inner cladding portion 250). Namely, as shown in FIG. 22, this SMoptical fiber 10 has arefractive index profile 800 with an indent C. - In particular, the
inner cladding portion 250 and theouter cladding portion 260 satisfy the following relationship: - e·|Δn 6|/(f−e)≧0.03
- therebetween.
- Here, the
refractive index profile 800 of the SMoptical fiber 10 does not always have a clear step-like form. In such a case, the outer diameter d of theinner core portion 150 is defined by a diameter in the boundary portion between theinner core portion 150 and theouter core portion 160 at which the relative refractive index difference is (Δn4+Δn5)/2; the outer diameter e of theouter core portion 160 is defined by a diameter in the boundary portion between theouter core portion 160 and theinner cladding portion 250 at which the relative refractive index difference is (Δn5+Δn6)/2; and the outer diameter f of theinner cladding portion 250 is defined by a diameter in the boundary portion between theinner cladding portion 250 and theouter cladding portion 260 at which the relative refractive index difference is (Δn4+Δnc)/2. Here, in the specification, the mean the relative refractive index differences of therespective glass regions outer cladding portion 260, the means relative refractive index difference Δnc of theouter cladding portion 260 with respect to itself is 0. - The inventors have also confirmed that, when a region having a low refractive index (inner cladding portion250) is disposed outside of the core region as in the case of the above-mentioned configuration, the dispersion slope can be reduced without any decrease in MFD. The effect on reducing the dispersion-slope becomes greater as the indent C in the
refractive index profile 800 is wider or deeper. Since this profile leads to increase in bending loss, however, there is a limit to the reducing of dispersion slope. As an SM optical fiber of a type in which relative refractive index difference of the glass region around the core is lowered, a fiber having a refractive index profile disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 63-43107 has been suggested. In this publication, one of objects is to decrease glass additives, while attaining a higher relative refractive index difference at the core region (without changing the form of profile). - Nevertheless, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 63-43107 does not mention the width and depth of the inner cladding. Though its specification states a width within the range of 1 to 35 μm or1 b to 10 b (wherein b is inner core diameter; b=1 to 10 μm) and a depth within the relative refractive index difference range of −0.1% to −0.6%, bending loss drastically increases in most part of these ranges.
- By contrast, as in the case of the SM
optical fiber 10, when theinner cladding portion 250 whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to theouter cladding portion 260 is Δn6 (<0) is formed inside of theouter cladding portion 260, seepage of signal light from theinner cladding portion 250 to theouter cladding portion 260 becomes greater on the long wavelength side in particular. Accordingly, the gradient (absolute value) of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength becomes smaller, thereby reducing the gradient (dispersion slope) of the total dispersion which includes the material dispersion in addition to the structure dispersion. - Here, in the case where f/e>4, even when the relative refractive index difference Δn6 (<0) of the
inner cladding portion 250 is made smaller so as to constantly hold the value of e·|Δn6|/(f−e), the effect on reducing the dispersion slope can hardly be obtained. Accordingly, it is preferable that f/e≦4. - The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention.
- Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
- FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention and a refractive index profile thereof;
- FIGS.2A-2C are views showing various refractive index profiles of the single-mode optical fiber of FIG. 1 obtained by changing the first value Δn1.
- FIG. 3 is a view showing a configuration of an applied example of the first embodiment of the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention and a refractive index profile thereof;
- FIGS.4A-4C are views showing various refractive index profiles of the single-mode optical fiber of FIG. 3 obtained by changing the first and fourth values Δn1 and Δn3a.
- FIGS.5A-5D are processes for explaining a first method of fabricating the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention;
- FIG. 6 is a view showing a drawing step for an optical fiber preform obtained by the first fabricating method shown in FIGS.5A-5D;
- FIGS.7A-7E are processes for explaining a second method of fabricating the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention;
- FIG. 8 is a view showing a drawing step for an optical fiber preform obtained by the second fabricating method shown in FIGS.7A-7E;
- FIGS.9A-9G are processes for explaining a third method of fabricating the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention;
- FIG. 10 is a view showing a drawing step for an optical fiber preform obtained by the third fabricating method shown in FIGS.9A-9G;
- FIGS.11A-11G are processes for explaining a fourth method of fabricating the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention;
- FIG. 12 is a view showing a drawing step for an optical fiber preform obtained by the fourth fabricating method shown in FIGS.11A-11G;
- FIG. 13 is a graph for explaining a relationship between wavelength and dispersion in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 14 is a graph for explaining a relationship between wavelength and dispersion in the conventional single-mode optical fiber;
- FIG. 15 is a graph showing a relationship between a·(Δn2−Δn1)/(b·Δn2) and dispersion slope in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 16 is a graph showing a relationship between (ca−b)·(Δn3b−Δn3a)/(c·Δn3b) and dispersion slope in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 17 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and Δn3 in the single-mode optical-fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 18 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and Δn2 in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 19 is a graph showing a relationship between b/c and cut-off wavelength in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 20 is a graph showing a relationship between b/c and 32 mmφ bending loss in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 21 is a graph showing a relationship between b/c and 30 mmφ bending loss in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 22 is a view showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the single-mode optical fiber according to the present invention and a refractive index profile thereof;
- FIG. 23 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and e·|Δn6|/(f−e) in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 22; and
- FIG. 24 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and f/e when e·Δn6/(f−e)=0 in the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 22.
- In the following, the single-mode optical fiber (SM optical fiber) according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS.1 to 24. Here, parts identical to each other in the drawings will be referred to with marks identical to each other without their overlapping explanations repeated.
- FIG. 1 is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the first embodiment of the SM optical fiber according to the present invention and a
refractive index profile 600 thereof. An SMoptical fiber 1 according to the present invention is an optical fiber mainly composed of silica glass comprising a core region having a predetermined refractive index and acladding portion 200 which is formed around the outer periphery of the core region and whose refractive index is set lower than that of the core region. The core region comprises afirst core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of a first value Δn, and an outer diameter of a; asecond core portion 120 formed around the outer periphery of thefirst core portion 110, the second core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of a second value Δn2 (>Δn1) and an outer diameter of b; and athird core portion 130 formed around the outer periphery of thesecond core portion 120, the third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of a third value Δn3 (<Δn2) and an outer diameter of c. - The abscissa of the
refractive index profile 600 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to positions on line L1 in a cross section (plane perpendicular to the advancing direction of propagating signal light) of the SMoptical fiber 1. Further, in thisrefractive index profile 600,regions first core portion 110,second core portion 120,third core portion 130, andcladding portion 200, respectively. - Further, in this specification, relative refractive index difference Δ is defined as:
- Δ=(n t 2 −n c 2)/2n c 2
- wherein nc is mean refractive index of the
cladding 200 which is the reference, and nt is mean refractive index of each of theglass regions first core portion 110 having a mean refractive index n1 with respect to thecladding portion 200 having the mean refractive index nc, for example, is given by (n1 2−nc 2)/2nc 2. Also, it is not necessary to follow the order in the above-mentioned expression. Therefore, the glass region whose mean refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 is a negative value corresponds to a glass region having a mean refractive index lower than the mean refractive index nc of thecladding portion 200. Further, “mean refractive index” refers to a surface mean which is obtained when the mean of refractive indices at respective positions in a predetermined glass region is taken on a cross section perpendicular to the advancing direction of signal light (direction perpendicular to the line L1) in the SM optical fiber. The mean relative refractive index difference is given by the above-mentioned expression based on the mean refractive index in each glass region. - As shown in FIG. 1, the SM
optical fiber 1 has arefractive index profile 600 in which an indent A (depression) with a sufficient width is provided at the center part of the core region. This indent A is defined when thefirst core portion 110 and thesecond core portion 120 satisfy the following relationship: - a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≧0.04
- therebetween.
- Also, in the SM
optical fiber 1, in order to attain a sufficient effect on reducing the dispersion slope, the third value Δn3 and the second value Δn2 are respectively set to at least 0.03% and at least 0.4%. - Further, in order to lower bending loss, the SM
optical fiber 1 is designed so as to attain 0.1≦b/c≦0.4. More preferably, it is designed to satisfy 0.1≦b/c≦0.3. - Here, in order to attain a sufficient effect on reducing the dispersion slope, a·(Δn2−Δn1)/(b·Δn2) is preferably 0.5 or less.
- The
refractive index profile 600 of the SMoptical fiber 1 according to this invention can have a variety of profiles as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C by changing the first value Δn1. Here, FIG. 2A shows therefractive index profile 600 where the first value Δn1 is set lower than the third value Δn3; FIG. 2B therefractive index profile 600 set such that thecladding portion 200 has the same refractive index (Δn1=0) as that of thefirst core portion 110; FIG. 2C therefractive index profile 600 set such that the first value Δn1 has a negative value (a state that thefirst core portion 110 has a lower refractive index than that of thecladding portion 200.) - FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of an applied example of the first embodiment of the single-mode optical fiber shown in FIG. 1 and a
refractive index profile 700 thereof. In this applied example, as shown in FIG. 3, thethird core portion 130 is constituted by aninner core 130 a formed around the outer periphery of thesecond core portion 120, theinner core 130 a having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of a fourth value Δn3a (<Δn2) and an outer diameter of ca (<c), and anouter core 130 b spaced from thesecond core portion 120 by way of theinner core 130 a, theouter core 130 b having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of a fifth value Δn3b (<Δn2 and >Δn3a) and an outer diameter of c. In other words, in therefractive index profile 700 of FIG. 3, an indent B (depression) is formed at a region corresponding to the third core portion 130 (including theinner core 130 a and theouter core 130 b). Here, theinner core 130 a and theouter core 130 b satisfy the following relationship: - 0.1≦(c a −b)·(Δn 3b −Δn 3a)/(c·Δn 3b)≦0.8
- therebetween.
- Since the indent B having sufficient width and depth is provided in the profile region corresponding to the
third core portion 130, as in the case of the effect obtained by the above-mentioned indent A, seepage of light into thecladding portion 200 can be made greater, thereby decreasing the gradient of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength and consequently reducing the absolute value of dispersion slope. - Here, in FIG. 3,
regions inner core 130 a and theouter core 130 b in thethird core portion 130, respectively. - In addition, the
refractive index profile 700 of the SMoptical fiber 1 according to this invention can have a variety of profiles as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C by changing the first and fourth values Δn1 and Δn3a. Here, FIG. 4A shows therefractive index profile 700 where the first value Δn1 is set lower than the fourth value Δn3a; FIG. 4B therefractive index profile 700 set such that thecladding portion 200 has the same refractive index (Δn1=0) as that of thefirst core portion 110; FIG. 4C therefractive index profile 700 set such that both the first and fourth values Δn1 and Δn3a have a negative value (a state that thefirst core portion 110 and theinner core 130 a having a lower refractive index than that of thecladding portion 200.) Note that the fourth value Δn3a may have zero in FIG. 4B (theinner core 130 a having the same refractive index as that of the cladding portion 200), and also the first and fourth values Δn1 and Δn3a can be independently set even in anyrefractive index profile 700. - The SM optical fiber of FIG. 1 is fabricated as explained in the following.
- (First Fabricating Method)
- FIGS.5A-5D and 6 are processes for explaining a first method of fabricating the SM
optical fiber 1 having arefractive index profile 600 as shown in FIG. 1. This first fabricating method belongs to the MCVD method. Note that, described below, the large-and-small relation between the relative index differences Δn1, Δn2, and Δn3 of the respective glass regions to the cladding portion is changeable as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. - As shown in FIGS.5A-5D, initially, a
glass tube 201 which is mainly composed of silica glass and is to be thecladding portion 200 is heated with aburner 400, while flowing a material gas containing at least Si and Ge through a hollow part of theglass tube 201, thereby forming, on the inner surface of theglass tube 201, afirst soot body 131 to be thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, thethird core portion 130 having a relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn3 (see FIG. 5A). - Subsequently, the
glass tube 201 in which thefirst soot body 131 is formed is heated, while flowing a material gas containing at least Si and Ge through the hollow part of theglass tube 201, thereby forming, on the inner surface of thefirst soot body 131, asecond soot body 151 to be a glass region having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn2 (>Δn3) after vitrification (see FIG. 5B). - Then, the
glass tube 201 in which thefirst soot body 131 and thesecond soot body 151 are formed is heated, while flowing a halogen gas through the hollow part of theglass tube 201, so as to diffuse germanium on the inner surface side of thesecond soot body 151. Accordingly, from thesecond soot body 151, anouter soot body 121 to be thesecond core portion 120 after vitrification, thesecond core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn2, and aninner soot body 111 to be thefirst core portion 110 after vitrification, thefirst core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn1 (<Δn2) are obtained (see FIG. 5C). - Thereafter, the
glass tube 210 in which thefirst soot body 131, theouter soot body 121, and theinner soot body 111 are formed is heated and collapsed so as to obtain a transparent optical fiber preform 310 (see FIG. 5D). - As one end of thus obtained
optical fiber preform 310 is drawn while being heated, the SMoptical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 600 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C is yielded (see FIG. 6). - In the above-mentioned drawing step, the
optical fiber preform 310 is drawn so as to yield the SMoptical fiber 1 in which thefirst core portion 110 and thesecond core portion 120 satisfy the following relationship: - a·(Δn2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≧0.04
- therebetween.
- Further, in order to obtain the SM
optical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 700 shown in FIG. 3, theglass tube 201 in which thefirst soot body 131 is formed is heated, while flowing a halogen gas (e.g. chlorine) through the hollow part of theglass tube 201, so as to diffuse germanium contained in the inner surface side of thefirst soot body 131, thereby reducing the germanium concentration of the inner surface side of thefirst soot body 131 as compared with that of the glass tube side of thefirst soot body 131. Accordingly, from thefirst soot body 131, an inner soot body to be theinner core 130 a of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theinner core 130 a having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fourth value Δn3a (<Δn2) and being formed around the outer periphery of thesecond core portion 120, and an outer soot body to be theouter core 130 b of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theouter core 130 b having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fifth value Δn3b (<Δn2 and >Δn3a)and being formed around the outer periphery of theinner core 130 a are obtained. Here, in the above-mentioned drawing step, theoptical fiber preform 310 is drawn so as to obtain the SMoptical fiber 1 in which the outer diameter of theinner core 130 a of thethird core portion 130 is ca (<c), the outer diameter of theouter core 130 b of thethird core portion 130 is c, and theinner core 130 a and theouter core 130 b satisfy the following relationship: - 0.1≦(c a −b)·(Δn 3b −Δn 3a)/(c·Δn 3b)≦0.8
- therebetween.
- Also the first and fourth values Δn1 and Δn3a can be independently set even in any
refractive index profile 700 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. - (Second Fabricating Method)
- FIGS.7A-7E and 8 are processes for explaining a second method of fabricating the SM
optical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 600 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C. This second fabricating method belongs to the VAD method. Note that, described below, the large-and-small relation between the relative index differences Δn1, Δn2, and Δn3 of the respective glass regions to the cladding portion is changeable as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. - As shown in FIGS.7A-7E, initially,
burners first soot body 112 to be thefirst core portion 110 after vitrification, thefirst core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn1; asecond soot body 122 to be thesecond core portion 120 after vitrification and formed around the outer periphery offirst soot body 112, thesecond core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn2 (>Δn1); a third soot body 132 to be thethird core portion 130 after vitrification and formed around the outer periphery ofsecond soot body 122, the third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn3 (<Δn2), and afourth soot body 212 to be the inner part of thecladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification and formed around the outer periphery of third soot body 132; thereby obtaining a composite soot body 321 (see FIG. 7A). - Then, thus obtained
composite soot body 321 is heated and stretched to yield a transparent composite glass body 322 (see FIGS. 7B and 7C). - Subsequently, a burner450 is used to form, around the outer periphery of the
composite glass body 322, afifth soot body 222 to be an outer part of thecladding portion 200 after vitrification. Then, it is stretched to obtain a transparent optical fiber preform 320 (see FIGS. 7D and 7E). - As one end of thus obtained
optical fiber preform 320 is drawn while being heated, the SMoptical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 600 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C is yielded (see FIG. 8). - In the above-mentioned drawing step, the
optical fiber preform 320 is drawn so as to yield the SMoptical fiber 1 in which thefirst core portion 110 and thesecond core portion 120 satisfy the following relationship: - a·(Δn2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≧0.04
- therebetween.
- Further, in order to obtain the SM
optical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 700 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, an inner soot body to be theinner core 130 a of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theinner core 130 a having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fourth value Δn3a (<Δn2) and formed around the outer periphery of thesecond core portion 120, and an outer soot body to be theouter core 130 b of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theouter core 130 b having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fifth value Δn3b (<Δn2 and >Δn3a) and formed around the outer periphery of theinner core 130 a are successively formed, as the third soot body 132, around the outer periphery of thesecond soot body 122. Here, in the above-mentioned drawing step, theoptical fiber preform 320 is drawn so as to obtain the SMoptical fiber 1 in which the outer diameter of theinner core 130 a of thethird core portion 130 is ca (<c), the outer diameter of theouter core 130 b of thethird core portion 130 is c, and theinner core 130 a and theouter core 130 b satisfy the following relationship: - 0.1≦(c a −b)·(Δn 3b −Δn 3a)/(c·Δn 3b)≦0.8
- therebetween.
- Also the first and fourth values Δn1 and Δn3a can be independently set even in any
refractive index profile 700 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. - (Third Fabricating Method)
- FIGS.9A-9G and 10 are processes for explaining a third method of fabricating the SM
optical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 600 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C. This third fabricating method belongs to the OVD method. Note that, described below, the large-and-small relation between the relative index differences Δn1, Δn2, and Δn3 of the respective glass regions to the cladding portion is changeable as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. - As shown in FIGS.9A-9G, initially, around a
cylindrical glass rod 500, afirst soot body 153 to be a glass region having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn2 after vitrification is formed (see FIG. 9A). Subsequently, around the outer periphery of thefirst soot body 153, asecond soot body 133 to be thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, the third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn3 (<Δn2) is formed (see FIG. 9B). Further, around the outer periphery of thesecond soot body 133, athird soot body 213 to be an inner part of thecladding portion 200 after vitrification is formed (see FIG. 9C). - Then, the
glass rod 500 is pulled out, and atubular soot body 331 composed of the first soot body 152,second soot body 133, andthird soot body 213 is heated, while flowing a halogen gas through a hollow part of thetubular soot body 331, so as to diffuse germanium on the inner surface side of the first soot body 152. Accordingly, from the first soot body 152, anouter soot body 123 to be thesecond core portion 120 after vitrification, thesecond core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn2 (>Δn3), and aninner soot body 113 to be thefirst core portion 110 after vitrification, thefirst core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn1 (<Δn2) are obtained (see FIG. 9D). - Thereafter, the
tubular soot body 331 is heated and collapsed. Further, it is stretched to obtain a transparent composite glass body 332 (see FIG. 9E). - Subsequently, the burner450 is used to form, around the outer periphery of the
composite glass body 332, afourth soot body 223 to be an outer part of thecladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification. Then, it is stretched to obtain a transparent optical fiber preform 330 (see FIGS. 9F and 9G). - As one end of thus obtained
optical fiber preform 330 is drawn while being heated, the SMoptical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 600 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C is yielded (see FIG. 10). - In the above-mentioned drawing step, the
optical fiber preform 330 is drawn so as to yield the SMoptical fiber 1 in which thefirst core portion 110 and thesecond core portion 120 satisfy the following relationship: - a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≧0.04
- therebetween.
- As explained in the foregoing, in the third fabricating method, for 100 minutes at a temperature of 1,000° C., chlorine gas is flowed through the hollow part of the soot body manufactured by the OVD method; and then the composite body is collapsed and stretched to make the transparent optical fiber preform. In the SM optical fiber fabricated from the optical fiber preform obtained by way of this step, the value of a·(Δn2−Δn1)/(b·Δn2) is 0.1, whereas that in the SM optical fiber fabricated from the optical fiber preform without this step is 0.02. Accordingly, in this method, the size of the indent A (well) can be made five times as large as that conventionally obtained. Here, in the SM optical fiber fabricated from the optical fiber preform obtained according to the method of the present invention, Δn1=0.4%, Δn2=0.9%, Δn3=0.08%, and b/c=0.26.
- Further, in order to obtain the SM
optical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 700 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, an inner soot body to be the inner 3core 130 a of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theinner core 130 a having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fourth value Δn3a (<Δn2) and being formed around the outer periphery of thesecond core portion 120, and an outer soot body to be theouter core 130 b of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theouter core 130 b having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fifth value Δn3b (<Δn2 and >Δn3a) and being formed around the outer periphery of theinner core 130 a are successively formed, as thesecond soot body 133, around the outer periphery of thefirst soot body 153. Here, in the above-mentioned drawing step, theoptical fiber preform 330 is drawn so as to obtain the SMoptical fiber 1 in which the outer diameter of theinner core 130 a of thethird core portion 130 is ca (<c), the outer diameter of theouter core 130 b of thethird core portion 130 is c, and theinner core 130 a and theouter core 130 b satisfy the following relationship: - 0.1≦(c a −b)·(Δn 3b −Δn 3a)/(c·Δn 3b)≦0.8
- therebetween.
- Also the first and fourth values Δn1 and Δn3a can be independently set even in any
refractive index profile 700 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. - (Fourth Manufacturing Method)
- FIGS.11A-11G and 12 are process charts for explaining a fourth method of making the SM
optical fiber 1 in accordance with the present invention. This fourth manufacturing method belongs to the OVD method. Note that, described below, the large-and-small relation between the relative index differences Δn1, Δn2, and Δn3 of the respective glass regions to the cladding portion is changeable as shown in FIGS. 2A 2C. - As shown in FIGS.11A-11G, initially, around the
cylindrical glass rod 500, afirst soot body 124 to be thesecond core portion 120 after vitrification, thesecond core portion 120 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn2 is formed (see FIG. 11A). Subsequently, around the outer periphery of thefirst soot body 124, asecond soot body 134 to be thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, thethird core portion 130 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn3 (<Δn2) is formed (see FIG. 11B). Further, around the outer periphery of thesecond soot body 134, athird soot body 214 to be an inner part of thecladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification is formed (see FIG. 1C). - Thereafter, the
glass rod 500 is pulled out; thefirst soot body 124, thesecond soot body 134, and thethird soot body 214 are heated and sintered; and then a cylindrical glass rod 114 to be thefirst core portion 110 after vitrification, thefirst core portion 110 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of Δn1 (<Δn2) is inserted into a hollow part of thus sinteredbody 341 and heated so that they are integrated together. Further, thus integrated body is stretched to obtain a transparent glass body 342 (see FIGS. 11D and 11E). - Subsequently, the burner450 is used to form, around the outer periphery of the
composite glass body 342, afourth soot body 224 to be an outer part of thecladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification. Then, it is stretched to obtain a transparent optical fiber preform 340 (see FIGS. 11F and 11G). - As one end of thus obtained
optical fiber preform 340 is drawn while -being heated, the SMoptical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 600 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C is yielded (see FIG. 12). - In the above-mentioned drawing step, the
optical fiber preform 340 is drawn so as to yield the SMoptical fiber 1 in which thefirst core portion 110 and thesecond core portion 120 satisfy the following relationship: - a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≧0.04
- therebetween.
- As explained in the foregoing, in the fourth fabricating method, a cylinder having a relative refractive index difference of 0.3% is inserted into the hollow part of the soot body formed by the OVD method, and they are integrated together, while being heated, to make the optical fiber preform. In the SM optical fiber fabricated from this optical fiber preform, the value of a·(Δn2−Δn1)/(b·Δn2) is 0.5, which is 25 times as large as 0.02 which is obtained without insertion of the cylinder.
- Further, in order to obtain the SM
optical fiber 1 having therefractive index profile 700 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, an inner soot body to be theinner core 130 a of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theinner core 130 a having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fourth value Δn3a (<Δn2) and formed around the outer periphery of thesecond core portion 120, and an outer soot body to be theouter core 130 b of thethird core portion 130 after vitrification, theouter core 130 b having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 of the fifth value Δn3b (<Δn2 and >Δn3a) and formed around the outer periphery of theinner core 130 a are successively formed, as thesecond soot body 134, around the outer periphery of thefirst soot body 124. Here, in the above-mentioned drawing step, theoptical fiber preform 340 is drawn so as to obtain the SMoptical fiber 1 in which the outer diameter of theinner core 130 a of thethird core portion 130 is ca (<c), the outer diameter of theouter core 130 b of thethird core portion 130 is c, and theinner core 130 a and theouter core 130 b satisfy the following relationship: - 0.1≦(c a −b)·(Δn 3b −Δn 3a)/(c·Δn 3b)≦0.8
- therebetween.
- Also the first and fourth values Δn1 and Δn3a can be independently set even in any
refractive index profile 700 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. - In the wavelength region used for transmission in an SM optical fiber, two phenomenons, namely, a material dispersion in which velocity of propagation toward the longitudinal direction (direction in which signal light advances) becomes faster as the signal light has a longer wavelength and a structure dispersion in which velocity of propagation becomes faster as the signal light has a shorter wavelength, occur concurrently. Since the SM optical fiber normally has a refractive index profile in which the refractive index near the center of the core has a constant value or decreases toward the outside, in this case, gradients of the material dispersion and the structure dispersion with respect to wavelength have polarities opposite to each other, while the material dispersion normally has a larger absolute value of gradient. Accordingly, the total dispersion obtained as the material dispersion and structure dispersion are added together has an intrinsic gradient (gradient of a dispersion curve at the zero dispersion slope being referred to as “dispersion slope” in particular) with respect to wavelength.
- By contrast, the SM
optical fiber 1 in accordance with the present invention is constituted by thefirst core portion 110 whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 is Δn1 and whose diameter is a; thesecond core portion 120 whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 is Δn2 (>Δn1) and whose outer diameter is b, formed around the outer periphery of thefirst core portion 110; thethird core portion 130 whose mean relative refractive index difference with respect to thecladding portion 200 is Δn3 (<Δn2) and whose outer diameter is c; and thecladding portion 200 having a predetermined refractive index formed around the outer periphery of thethird core portion 130. Accordingly, the absolute value of gradient of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength is made smaller such that the dispersion slope (absolute value of gradient at the zero dispersion wavelength) can be decreased. More preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, thethird core portion 130 may be constituted by theinner core 130 a and theouter core 130 b so as to attain a refractive index profile in which an indent is provided. - FIG. 13 is a graph for explaining a relationship between wavelength and dispersion in the SM
optical fiber 1 of FIG. 1. Also, FIG. 14 is a graph showing a relationship between wavelength and dispersion in the conventional SM optical fiber (Δn1=Δn2). It can be confirmed from FIGS. 13 and 14 that the effect on lowering the dispersion slope is greater as the ratio (a/b) of the outer diameter a of thefirst core portion 110 to the outer diameter b of thesecond core portion 120 is larger or the difference (Δn2−Δn1) between the relative refractive index difference Δn2 of thesecond core portion 120 with respect to thecladding portion 200 and the relative refractive index difference Δn1 of thefirst core portion 110 with respect to thecladding portion 200 is larger. It is due to the fact that the wavelength dependency of light seeping into thethird core portion 130 orcladding portion 200 becomes greater, thereby reducing the gradient (absolute value) of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength. - In the SM
optical fiber 1 in accordance with the present invention in which the relative refractive index difference Δn, of thefirst core portion 110 positioned at the center of the core region-is set lower than the relative refractive index difference Δn2 of the surroundingsecond core portion 120, the bending loss characteristic does not deteriorate so much as that in the conventional SM optical fiber. It is due to the fact, when MFD values of these portions are set to the same value, their cut-off wavelengths substantially equal to each other, while the bending loss characteristic is determined by the value of (MFD)/(cut-off wavelength). In an SM optical fiber having a step-form refractive index profile mainly used as a transmission line for light of 1.3-μm wavelength band, however, since seepage of light into the cladding portion is small, the reducing of dispersion slope cannot be expected even when the relative refractive index difference at the center part of the core is made small. - Further, FIG. 15 is a graph showing a relationship between a·(Δn2−Δn1)/(b·Δn2) and dispersion slope. In FIG. 15, while Δn2=1.0%, Δn3=0.12%, and b/c=0.25, the outer diameter c of the
third core portion 130 is changed such that MFD becomes 8.0 μm or greater (wherein the ratio of a, b, and c is unchanged). It can be seen from FIG. 15 that the effect on lowering the dispersion slope is obtained when - a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≧0.04
- and this effect is maximized when
- a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)=0.5.
- Similarly, FIG. 16 is a graph showing a relationship between (ca−b)·(Δn3b−Δn3a)/(c·Δn3b) and dispersion slope in the SM
optical fiber 1 of FIG. 3. In FIG. 16, while a·(Δn2−Δn1)/(b·Δn2) is set to 0.1, c·Δn3b is changed so as to alter the size of the indent B. It can be seen from FIG. 16 that the effect on reducing the dispersion slope is obtained when - 0.1≦(c a −b)·(Δn 3b −Δn 3a)/(c·Δn 3b)
- and this effect is maximized when
- (c a −b)·(Δn 3b −Δn 3a)/(c·Δn 3b)=0.8.
- Accordingly, when the indent B satisfying the relationship of 0.1≦(ca—b)·(Δn3b−Δn3a)/(c·Δn3b)≦0.8 is provided in the profile region corresponding to the third core portion 130 (including the
inner core 130 a and theouter core 130 b) in the SMoptical fiber 1 of FIG. 3, the dispersion slope can be further lowered as compared with that in the SM optical fiber having a refractive index profile without the indent. - FIG. 17 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and Δn3 (corresponding to Δn3b in the SM
optical fiber 1 of FIG. 3) in the SMoptical fiber 1 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 17, Δn2 and Δn1 are selected such that the zero dispersion wavelength becomes 1,560 nm when a·(Δn2−Δn1)/(b·Δn2)=0.1 and b/c=0.25. It can be seen from FIG. 17 that, when the relative refractive index difference Δn3 of thethird core portion 130 with respect to thecladding portion 200 is 0.03% or greater, a refractive index profile which does not deteriorate the bending loss at a predetermined zero dispersion wavelength can be obtained. By contrast, it can be seen that no advantageous effects over the conventional example can be obtained when Δn3<0.03%. - FIG. 18 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and Δn2 in the SM
optical fiber 1 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 18, a·(Δn2−Δn1)/(b·Δn2)=0.3, b/c=0.25, and Δn3=0.12%. Also, in this graph, the outer diameter c of thethird core portion 130 is changed such that the zero dispersion wavelength becomes 1,560 nm, the bending loss becomes not greater than 0.1 dB/m (30 mmφ bending loss) which is the level where the bending loss is practically free of problems, MFD becomes 8.0 μm or larger, and the cut-off wavelength becomes 1.5 μm or less (wherein the ratio of a, b, and c is unchanged). It can be seen from FIG. 18 that the effect of the present invention (due to the fact that the relative refractive index difference at the center part is low) cannot be obtained when Δn2<0.4%. - FIG. 19 is a graph showing a relationship between b/c and cut-off wavelength in the SM
optical fiber 1 in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 19, while Δn2=1.0%, Δn3=0.12%, and a·(Δn2−Δn1)/(b·Δn2)=0.3, a value at which MFD becomes 8.0 μm is selected as the outer diameter c of thethird core portion 130. It can be seen from FIG. 19 that, when b/c<0.1, the cut-off wavelength is longer than the signal light wavelength, thereby deviating from a single-mode condition. - Further, FIG. 20 is a graph showing a relationship between b/c and 32 mmφ bending loss in the SM
optical fiber 1 of FIG. 1. Also, FIG. 21 is a graph showing a relationship between b/c and 30 mmφ bending loss in the SMoptical fiber 1. - In each of these graphs, while Δn2=1.0%, Δn3=0.12%, and a·(Δn2−Δn1)/(b·Δn2)=0.3, a value at which MFD becomes 8.0 μm is selected as the outer diameter c of the
third core portion 130. Here, 32 mmφ bending loss is a value (see Bellcore Standard 4.2.6) obtained when an optical-fiber to be measured is wound around a mandrel having a diameter of 32 mm for 100 turns and then its transmission loss with respect to light having a wavelength of 1,550 nm is converted into a transmission loss per unit number of turns (one turn). Also, the 30 mmφ bending loss is a value obtained when a mandrel having a diameter of 30 mm is used. - As can be seen from FIG. 20, when b/c exceeds 0.4, the bending loss becomes greater than 0.5 dB/turn, thereby failing to satisfy the above-mentioned Bellcore Standard. Further, in order to make the SM optical fiber applicable to cables of tight structure (30 mmφ bending loss of 0.1 dB/turn or less), it is necessary for b/c to be 0.3 or less as can be seen from FIG. 21.
- FIG. 22 is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the second embodiment of the SM optical fiber according to the present invention and a
refractive index profile 800 thereof. As shown in FIG. 22, this SMoptical fiber 10 comprises aninner core portion 150 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to anouter cladding portion 260 of Δn4 and an outer diameter of d; anouter core portion 160 formed around the outer periphery of theinner core portion 150, theouter core portion 160 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to theouter cladding portion 260 of Δn5 (<Δn4) and an outer diameter of e; aninner cladding portion 250 formed around the outer periphery of theouter core portion 160, theinner cladding portion 250 having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to theouter cladding portion 260 of Δn6 (<Δn5 and <0) and an outer diameter of f; and theouter cladding portion 260 having a predetermined refractive index and formed around the outer periphery of theinner cladding portion 250. Here, as can be seen from the above-mentioned definition of the relative refractive index difference, since Δn6 is a negative value, the refractive index of theinner cladding portion 250 is set lower than that of theouter cladding portion 260. - Here, the abscissa of the
refractive index profile 800 shown in FIG. 22 corresponds to positions on line L2 in a cross section (plane perpendicular to the advancing direction of propagating signal light) of the SMoptical fiber 10. Further, in thisrefractive index profile 800,regions inner core portion 150,outer core portion 160,inner cladding portion 250, andouter cladding portion 260, respectively. - In particular, the SM
optical fiber 10 of FIG. 22 satisfies the relationship of - e·|Δn 6|/(f−e)≧0.03.
- Accordingly, a
refractive index profile 800 in which an indent C (depression) having a sufficient size is provided can be obtained. - The SM
optical fiber 10 in accordance with the second embodiment can be fabricated by well-known MCVD, CVD, or OVD method. - The SM
optical fiber 10 of FIG. 22, as in the case of the SMoptical fiber 1 of FIG. 1, has a configuration in which the absolute value of gradient of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength decreases such that the dispersion slope is reduced in a wide wavelength range. The effect on lowering the dispersion slope becomes greater as the width (f−e) of theinner cladding portion 250 is smaller or the difference between Δn6 (<0) and Δn4 or between Δn6 and Δn5 is larger. - FIG. 23 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and e·|Δn6|/(f−e) in the SM
optical fiber 10. In FIG. 23, while Δn4=0.9%, Δn5=0.10%, and d/e=0.28, the outer diameter e of theouter core portion 160 is set so that MFD becomes 8.0 μm. It can be seen from FIG. 23 that, when e·|Δn6|/(f−e)<0.03, the effect on lowering the dispersion slope obtained by the SM optical fiber of this embodiment over the conventional SM optical fiber (wherein |Δn6|=Δn5; i.e., there is no inner cladding portion) is quite small. - FIG. 24 is a graph showing a relationship between dispersion slope and f/e when e·|Δn6|/(f−e)=0.06. In FIG. 24, while Δn4=0.9%, Δn5=0.10%, and d/e=0.28, the outer diameter e of the
outer core portion 160 is set so that MFD becomes 8.0 μm. It can be seen from FIG. 24 that, in the case where f/e>4, the effect on lowering the dispersion slope can hardly be obtained even when the absolute value of relative refractive index difference Δn6 is made small so as to constantly hold the value of e·|Δn6|/(f−e). - As explained in detail in the foregoing, since the SM optical fiber in accordance with the present invention has a refractive index profile in which an indent (well) with sufficient width and depth is provided at the center part of the core, the absolute value of gradient of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength decreases, so that the dispersion slope can be reduced in a wide wavelength range. As a result, in a WDM transmission system having a plurality of signal light wavelengths, difference in dispersion value among these wavelengths can be suppressed, thereby enabling dispersion compensation advantageously. Also, in normal transmission of a single signal light wavelength, it is particularly effective in lowering the dispersion slope when the zero dispersion wavelength and the signal light wavelength deviate from each other or when the zero dispersion wavelength fluctuates in the longitudinal direction (advancing direction of the signal light).
- Also, in the manufacturing method of SM optical fiber in accordance with the present invention, since a refractive index profile having an indent with sufficient width and depth at the center of the core region can be intentionally realized, the SM optical fiber according to the present invention can be suitably manufactured.
- Further, in the SM optical fiber of the second embodiment, since the refractive index of the inner cladding portion having an appropriate width is made lower than that of the outer cladding portion by a predetermined level, the gradient (absolute value) of structure dispersion with respect to wavelength decreases, so that the dispersion slope can be reduced. As a result, in a WDM transmission system having a plurality of signal light wavelengths, difference in dispersion value among these wavelengths can be suppressed, thereby enabling dispersion compensation advantageously. Also, in normal transmission of a single signal light wavelength, it is particularly effective in lowering the dispersion slope when the zero dispersion wavelength and the signal light wavelength deviate from each other or when the zero dispersion wavelength fluctuates in the longitudinal direction (advancing direction of the signal light).
- From the invention thus described, it will be obvious that the invention may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended for inclusion within the scope of the following claims.
- The basic Japanese Application No. 257843/1995 filed on Oct. 4, 1995 is hereby incorporated by reference.
Claims (26)
1. A single-mode optical fiber containing silica glass as a main component, comprising a core region having a predetermined refractive index and a cladding region which is formed around an outer periphery of said core region and whose refractive index is set lower than that of said core region, said core region comprising:
a first core portion having an outer diameter of a and a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding region being a first value Δn1;
a second core portion formed around an outer periphery of said first core portion, said second core portion having an outer diameter of b and a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding region of a second value Δn2 greater than the first value Δn1, wherein said first core portion and said second core portion satisfy the following relationship:
a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≧0.04
therebetween; and
a third core portion formed around an outer periphery of said second core portion, said third core portion having an outer diameter of c and a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding region of a third value Δn3 smaller than the second value Δn2.
2. A single-mode optical fiber according to claim 1 , wherein the third value Δn3 is not less than 0.03%.
3. A single-mode optical fiber according to claim 1 , wherein the second value Δn2 is not less than 0.4%.
4. A single-mode optical fiber according to claim 1 , wherein said second core portion and said third core portion satisfy the following relationship:
0.1≦b/c≦0.4
therebetween.
5. A single-mode optical fiber according to claim 4 , wherein said second core portion and said third core portion satisfy the following relationship:
0.1≦b/c≦0.3
therebetween.
6. A single-mode optical fiber according to claim 1 , wherein said first core portion and said second core portion satisfy the following relationship:
a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≦0.5
therebetween.
7. A single-mode optical fiber according to claim 1 , wherein said third core portion comprises:
an inner core formed around the outer periphery of said second core portion, said inner core portion having an outer diameter of ca (<c) and a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding region of a fourth value Δn3a smaller than the second value Δn2; and
an outer core spaced from said second core portion by way of said inner core, said outer core having an outer diameter of c and a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding region being a fifth value Δn3b greater than the fourth value Δn3a and smaller than the second value Δn2, and
wherein said inner core and said outer core satisfy the following relationship:
0.1≦(c a −b)·(Δn 3b −Δn 3a)/(c·Δn 3b)≦0.8
therebetween.
8. A single-mode optical fiber according to claim 7 , wherein the fifth value Δn3b is not less than 0.03%.
9. A single-mode optical fiber according to claim 7 , wherein the second value Δn2 is not less than 0.4%.
10. A single-mode optical fiber according to claim 7 , wherein said second core portion and said third core portion satisfy the following relationship:
0.1≦b/c≦0.4
therebetween.
11. A single-mode optical fiber according to claim 10 , wherein said second core portion and said third core portion satisfy the following relationship:
0.1≦b/c≦0.3
therebetween.
12. A single-mode optical fiber according to claim 7 , wherein said first core portion and said second core portion satisfy the following relationship:
a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≦0.5
therebetween.
13. A method of fabricating a single-mode fiber mainly composed of silica glass comprising, at least, a first core portion, a second core portion formed around an outer periphery of said first core portion, a third core portion formed around an outer periphery of said second core portion, and a cladding portion formed around an outer periphery of said third core portion, said method comprising:
a first step of preparing a glass tube to be said cladding portion having a predetermined refractive index, and making a material gas containing at least Si and Ge flow through a hollow part of said glass tube, while heating said glass tube, thereby forming a first soot body to be said third core portion after vitrification on an inner surface of said glass tube, said third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a first value Δn1;
a second step of making a material gas containing at least Si and Ge flow through the hollow part of said glass tube in which said first soot body is formed, while heating said glass tube, thereby forming a second soot body to be said first and second core portions after vitrification on an inner surface of said first soot body, said second core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a second value Δn2 greater than the first value Δn1, said first core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a third value Δn, smaller than the second value Δn2;
a third step of flowing a halogen gas through the hollow part of said glass tube in which said first soot body and said second soot body are formed, while heating said glass tube, thereby diffusing germanium contained in an inner surface side of said second soot body so as to reduce the germanium concentration of the inner surface side of said second soot body as compared with that of the first soot body side of said second soot body;
a fourth step of heating and collapsing said glass tube in which said first soot body and said second soot body having different germanium concentrations respectively on the inner surface side and first soot body side thereof are formed, thereby obtaining a transparent optical fiber preform; and
a fifth step of drawing one end of said optical fiber preform obtained at fourth step, while heating said one end, so as to yield a single-mode optical fiber having at least said first core portion of an outer diameter a, said second core portion of an outer diameter b and said third core portion of an outer diameter c.
14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein, in said fifth step, said optical fiber preform obtained at said fourth step is drawn so as to yield a single-mode optical fiber in which said first core portion and said second core portion satisfy the following relationship:
a·(Δn 2 −Δn 3)/(b·Δn 2)≧0.04
therebetween.
15. A method according to claim 14 , wherein said first step is a step of forming a first soot body to be inner and outer cores of said third core portion after vitrification, said inner core being formed around the outer periphery of said second core portion and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a fourth value Δn4 smaller than the second value Δn1, said outer core being formed around an outer periphery of said inner core and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a fifth value Δn5 greater than the fourth value Δn4 and smaller than the second value Δn2;
wherein said first step includes a process of flowing a halogen gas through the hollow part of said glass tube in which said first soot body is formed, while heating said glass tube, thereby diffusing germanium contained in the inner surface side of said first soot body so as to reduce the germanium concentration of the inner surface side of said first soot body as compared with that of the glass tube side of said first soot body; and
wherein, in said fifth step, said optical fiber preform obtained at said fourth step is drawn so as to yield a single-mode optical fiber in which said inner and outer cores of said third core portion have outer diameters of ca (<c) and c, respectively, and said inner and outer cores satisfy the following relationship:
0.1≦(c a −b)·(Δn 3 −Δn 4)/(c·Δn 3)≦0.8
therebetween.
16. A method of fabricating a single-mode fiber mainly composed of silica glass comprising, at least, a first core portion, a second core portion formed around an outer periphery of said first core portion, a third core portion formed around an outer periphery of said second core portion, and a cladding portion formed around an outer periphery of said third core portion, said method comprising:
a first step of forming a first soot body to be said first core portion after vitrification, said first core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a first value Δn1;
a second step of forming a second soot body to be said second core portion after vitrification around an outer periphery of said first soot body, said second core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a second value Δn2 greater than the first value Δn1;
a third step of forming a third soot body to be said third core portion after vitrification around an outer periphery of said second soot body, said third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a third value Δn3 smaller than the second value Δn2;
a fourth step of forming a fourth soot body to be said cladding portion having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification around an outer periphery of said third soot body;
a fifth step of heating and collapsing a composite soot body formed at said fourth step, thereby obtaining a transparent optical fiber preform; and
a sixth step of drawing one end of said optical fiber preform obtained at said fifth step, while heating said one end, so as to yield a single-mode-optical fiber having at least said first core portion of an outer diameter a, said second core portion of an outer diameter b and said third core portion of an outer diameter c.
17. A method according to claim 16 , wherein, in said sixth step, said optical fiber preform obtained at said fifth step is drawn so as to yield a single-mode optical fiber in which said first core portion and said second core portion satisfy the following relationship:
a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≧0.04
therebetween.
18. A method according to claim 17 , wherein said third step includes:
a first sub-process of forming an inner soot body to be an inner core of said third core portion after vitrification around the outer periphery of said second soot body, said inner core being positioned around the outer periphery of said second core portion and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a fourth value Δn4 smaller than the second value Δn2; and
a second sub-process of forming an outer soot body to be an outer core of said third core portion after vitrification around an outer periphery of said inner soot body, said outer core being positioned around the outer periphery of said inner core and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a fifth value Δn5 greater than the fourth value Δn4 and smaller than the second value Δn5, and
wherein, in said sixth step, said optical fiber preform obtained at said fifth step is drawn so as to yield a single-mode optical fiber in which said inner and outer cores of said third core portion have outer diameters of ca (<c) and c, respectively, and said inner and outer cores satisfy the following relationship:
0.1≦(c a −b)·(Δn 5 −Δn 4)/(c·Δn 5)≦0.8
therebetween.
19. A method of fabricating a single-mode fiber mainly composed of silica glass comprising, at least, a first core portion, a second core portion formed around an outer periphery of said first core portion, a third core portion formed around an outer periphery of said second core portion, and a cladding portion formed around an outer periphery of said third core portion, said method comprising:
a first step of forming a first soot body to be said first and second core portions after vitrification around an outer periphery of a cylindrical glass rod, said first core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a first value Δn1, said second core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a second value Δn2 greater than said first value Δn1;
a second step of forming a second soot body to be said third core portion after vitrification around an outer periphery of said first soot body, said third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a third value Δn3 smaller than the second value Δn2;
a third step of forming a third soot body to be said cladding portion having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification around an outer periphery of said second soot body;
a fourth step of pulling out said glass rod and flowing a halogen gas flow through a hollow part of a tubular soot body composed of said first, second, and third soot bodies, while heating said tubular soot body, thereby diffusing germanium contained in an inner surface side of said first soot body so as to reduce the germanium concentration of the inner surface side of said first soot body as compared with that of the second soot body side of said first soot body;
a fifth step of heating and collapsing said tubular soot body composed of said first soot body having different germanium concentrations respectively on the inner surface side and second soot body side thereof, second soot body, and third soot body, thereby obtaining a transparent optical fiber preform; and
a sixth step of drawing one end of said optical fiber preform obtained at said fifth step, while heating said one end, so as to yield a single-mode optical fiber having at least said first core portion of an outer diameter a, said second core portion of an outer diameter b and said third core portion of an outer diameter c.
20. A method according to claim 19 , wherein, in said sixth step, said optical fiber preform obtained at said fifth step is drawn so as to yield a single-mode optical fiber in which said first core portion and said second core portion satisfy the following relationship:
a·(Δn 2 −Δn 1)/(b·Δn 2)≧0.04
therebetween.
21. A method according to claim 20 , wherein said second step includes:
a first sub-process of forming an inner soot body to be an inner core of said third core portion after vitrification around the outer periphery of said first soot body, said inner core being positioned around the outer periphery of said second core portion and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a fourth value Δn4 smaller than the second value Δn2; and
a later process of forming an outer soot body to be an outer core of said third core portion after vitrification around an outer periphery of said inner soot body, said outer core being positioned around an outer periphery of said inner core and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a fifth value Δn5 greater than the fourth value Δn4 and smaller than the second value Δn2, and
wherein, in said sixth step, said optical fiber preform obtained at said fifth step is drawn so as to yield a single-mode optical fiber in which said inner and outer cores of said third core portion have outer diameters of ca (<c) and c, respectively, and said inner and outer cores satisfy the following relationship:
0.1≦(c a −b)·(Δn 5 −Δn 4)/(c·Δn 5)≦0.8
therebetween.
22. A method of fabricating a single-mode fiber mainly composed of silica glass comprising, at least, a first core portion, a second core portion formed around an outer periphery of said first core portion, a third core portion formed around an outer periphery of said second core portion, and a cladding portion formed around an outer periphery of said third core portion, said method comprising:
a first step of forming a first soot body to be said second core portion after vitrification around an outer periphery of a cylindrical glass rod, said second core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion being a first value Δn1;
a second step of forming a second soot body to be said third core portion after vitrification around an outer periphery of said first soot body, said third core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion being a second value Δn2 smaller than the first value Δn,;
a third step of forming a third soot body to be said cladding portion having a predetermined refractive index after vitrification around an outer periphery of said second soot body;
a fourth step of pulling out said glass rod, and heating and sintering said first, second, and third soot bodies;
a fifth step of inserting a cylindrical glass rod to be said first core portion after vitrification into a hollow part of the sintered body obtained at said fourth step, said first core portion having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a third value Δn3 smaller than the first value Δn1, and heating and integrating a composite body including said sintered body and said cylindrical glass rod, thereby obtaining a transparent optical fiber preform; and
a sixth step of drawing one end of the obtained optical fiber preform, while heating said one end, so as to yield a single-mode optical fiber having at least said first core portion of an outer diameter a, said second core portion of an outer diameter b and said third core portion of an outer diameter c.
23. A method according to claim 22 , wherein, in said sixth step, said optical fiber preform obtained at said fifth step is drawn so as to yield a single-mode optical fiber in which said first core portion and said second core portion satisfy the following relationship:
a·(Δn 1 −Δn 3)/(b·Δn 1)≧0.04
therebetween.
24. A method according to claim 23 , wherein said second step includes:
a first sub-process of forming an inner soot body to be an inner core of said third core portion after vitrification around the outer periphery of said first soot body, said inner core being positioned around the outer periphery of said second core portion and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a fourth value Δn4 smaller than the first value Δn1; and
a later process of forming an outer soot body to be an outer core of said third core portion after vitrification around an outer periphery of said inner soot body, said outer core being positioned around an outer periphery of said inner core and having a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said cladding portion of a fifth value Δn5 greater than the fourth value Δn4 and smaller than the first value Δn1, and
wherein, in said sixth step, said optical fiber preform obtained at said fifth step is drawn so as to yield a single-mode optical fiber in which said inner and outer cores of said third core portion have outer diameters of ca (<c) and c, respectively, and said inner and outer cores satisfy the following relationship:
0.1≦(c a −b)·(Δn 5 −Δn 4)/(c·Δn 5)≦0.8
therebetween.
25. A single-mode optical fiber mainly composed of silica glass, comprising:
an inner core portion having an outer diameter of a and a predetermined refractive index;
an outer core portion formed around an outer periphery of said inner core portion, said outer core portion having an outer diameter of b and a lower refractive index than said inner core portion;
an inner cladding portion formed around an outer periphery of said outer core portion, said inner cladding portion having an outer diameter of c and a lower refractive index than said outer core portion; and
an outer cladding portion formed around an outer periphery of said inner cladding portion, said outer cladding portion having a refractive index higher than that of said inner cladding portion and lower than that of said outer core portion,
wherein, when said inner cladding portion has a mean relative refractive index difference with respect to said outer cladding portion of Δn1 (<0), said inner cladding portion and said outer cladding portion satisfy the following relationship:
b·|Δn1|/(c−b)≧0.03
therebetween.
26. A single-mode optical fiber according to claim 25 , wherein said outer core and said inner cladding satisfy the following relationship:
c/b≦4
therebetween.
Priority Applications (1)
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US10/228,964 US20030007761A1 (en) | 1995-10-04 | 2002-08-28 | Single-mode optical fiber and method of fabricating the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP257843/1995 | 1995-10-04 | ||
JP25784395 | 1995-10-04 | ||
US08/725,903 US5822488A (en) | 1995-10-04 | 1996-10-04 | Single-mode optical fiber with plural core portions |
US09/054,494 US6062046A (en) | 1995-10-04 | 1998-04-03 | Method of making a single-mode optical fiber with multiple concentric core portions including the RIT process |
US09/920,735 US6446469B2 (en) | 1995-10-04 | 2001-08-03 | MCVD method with GE depletion to form a single mode optical fiber |
US10/228,964 US20030007761A1 (en) | 1995-10-04 | 2002-08-28 | Single-mode optical fiber and method of fabricating the same |
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US09/920,735 Division US6446469B2 (en) | 1995-10-04 | 2001-08-03 | MCVD method with GE depletion to form a single mode optical fiber |
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US20030007761A1 true US20030007761A1 (en) | 2003-01-09 |
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US09/054,494 Expired - Fee Related US6062046A (en) | 1995-10-04 | 1998-04-03 | Method of making a single-mode optical fiber with multiple concentric core portions including the RIT process |
US09/535,533 Expired - Fee Related US6295843B1 (en) | 1995-10-04 | 2000-03-27 | Method of making a single-mode optical fiber with multiple concentric core portions by using an outside vapor deposition process |
US09/920,735 Expired - Fee Related US6446469B2 (en) | 1995-10-04 | 2001-08-03 | MCVD method with GE depletion to form a single mode optical fiber |
US10/228,964 Abandoned US20030007761A1 (en) | 1995-10-04 | 2002-08-28 | Single-mode optical fiber and method of fabricating the same |
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US08/725,903 Expired - Lifetime US5822488A (en) | 1995-10-04 | 1996-10-04 | Single-mode optical fiber with plural core portions |
US09/054,494 Expired - Fee Related US6062046A (en) | 1995-10-04 | 1998-04-03 | Method of making a single-mode optical fiber with multiple concentric core portions including the RIT process |
US09/535,533 Expired - Fee Related US6295843B1 (en) | 1995-10-04 | 2000-03-27 | Method of making a single-mode optical fiber with multiple concentric core portions by using an outside vapor deposition process |
US09/920,735 Expired - Fee Related US6446469B2 (en) | 1995-10-04 | 2001-08-03 | MCVD method with GE depletion to form a single mode optical fiber |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6295843B1 (en) | 2001-10-02 |
US6446469B2 (en) | 2002-09-10 |
US6062046A (en) | 2000-05-16 |
US5822488A (en) | 1998-10-13 |
US20020000103A1 (en) | 2002-01-03 |
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