Suzanne R. Nagel

An overview of the modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) process and performance

This paper reviews the MCVD process, with special emphasis on fiber design and material choices, understanding of mechanisms involved in the process, process improvements, and performance.

Review of the Depressed Cladding Single-Mode Fiber Design and Performance for the SL Undersea System Application

High-capacity undersea cable systems based on optical transmission over single-mode lightguides offer tremendous economic advantage over coaxial cable technology due to their combined high-bit-rate long repeater spacing potential. However, very stringent requirements for the lightguide transmission medium properties must be met in order to realize the performance goals of such systems. This paper will review the depressed index cladding single-mode fiber design and its resultant performance. The ability to simultaneously realize excellent optical, mechanical, and dimensional properties in lightguides of this type fabricated using the Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition (MCVD) process has resulted in their use in the AT&T SL system to be used in TAT8.

Reliability Issues In Optical Fibers

The long term reliability of high silica glass fiber lightguides used in lightwave communications systems is a critical consideration for assuring necessary system performance over design lifetimes. Three important concerns have emerged: the long-term mechanical strength of glass fiber; radiation induced changes in optical attenuation; and hydrogen effects on optical loss. This paper will highlight the key aspects of such phenomena, with particular emphasis on current understanding of silica fiber lightguides used for telecommunications applications.

Silica-Based Glass Optical Fiber Properties And Fabrication Methods

This paper presents a brief tutorial review of the important properties of high-silica based glasses which must be optimized to realize high quality optical fibers for lightwave communications applications, then presents an overview of the glass forming and fiber, fabrication methods which are used to manufacture these lightguides.