CHAPTER-7

ATTENUATION IN OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES

In this chapter * * * 7. 1. Attenuation in Optic Fibre Cables Bandwidth

Attenuation in optical fibre cables

Attenuation is loss of optic power. In an optic fibre cable attenuation takes place because of the following elements. 1. Coupler. 2. Splices. 3. Connectors. 4. Fibre itself Here we will discuss losses in fibre itself As per graph below, attenuation varies with the wave length of light. (Ref. fig. 7. 1).

Fig.7.1 Attenuation In Optical Fibre Cable There are three windows: 1. 850 nm-2.5 to 3 db /km

2. 3. 7.2.

1300 nm-0.4 to 0.5 db/km. 1550nm-0.25 to 0.30 db /km.

Types of losses in fibres are: 1. 2. 3. Absorption. Scattering. Geometric effects.

1.

ABSORPTION a) b) Intrinsic absorption. Absorption due to impurities.

a)

Intrinsic Absorption (Ref fig 7.2. a)

Intrinsic absorption is a natural property of glass itself From the figure it is clear that loss due to absorption is very large in UV and infra red regions. UV loss is due to electronic and molecular transition bands. IR loss due to vibrations of chemical

bonds, this loss prohibits use of silica fibre beyond 1.6 um. Fig 7.2(a) Glass Absorption In Ultra Violet And Infra-Red Regions b) Absorption due to impurities

These are the main sources of loss in a practical fibre. Two types of impurities are more troublesome. i. ii. i. Metal ions Metal ions. Hydroxyl ions.

Metal impurities such as iron, copper, cobalt, vanadium, nickel, manganese and chromium absorb strongly in the region of interest and must not exceed one part per billion to obtain low losses. Such purity has been achieved in high silica-content fibres. ii. Hydroxyl ions (Ref. Fig 7.2b)

The loss mechanism for this is the stretching vibration. The oxygen and hydrogen atoms are vibrating due to thermal motion. The resonant frequency occurs at 2.73 um (out side band of interest but combination bands lies at 1.37, 1.23 and 0.95 um when OH ions are embedded in silica fibre. To achieve results shown figure OH immunity should be less than few parts in 1 million. Special precautions are taken during the glass manufacture to ensure low level of OH impurity, in finished product. Dry fibres have low OH levels. Within low intrinsic loss region OH absorption dictates which wavelength must be avoided for most efficient propagation.

Fig 7.2(b) Hydroxyl Ion Absorption In Silica-Glass Fibre 7.2.2 SCATTERING

Scattering is the loss of optical energy due to imperfections in the fibre. Due to scattering the light is scattered in all directions, which causes the loss of power in forward direction. This loss is known as Rayleigh scattering loss. Rayleigh scattering takes place due to variations in the density and composition of glass material in the fibre. Density and compositional variations takes place during manufacture itself Rayleigh scattering loss Is. inversely proportional to the fourth power of the wavelength(1/ ), it diminishes rapidly at longer wavelengths. (Ref Fig 7.2.2)

Fig 7.2.2 Rayleigh Scattering 7.3 a) b) a) GEOMETRIC EFFECTS Micro bending Macro bending Micro bending (Ref. Fig 7.3a)

Microscopic bending loss is caused due to deformation of fibre axis during cabling process. When a fibre is sheathed within a protective cable it sets up Stresses which cause small axial distortion (microbends) to appear randomly along the fibre. Micro bends cause some of the light to couple out of the fibre. This effect is greatly reduced by loose tube cable construction.

Fig. 7.3(a) Bending of Light Wave Due to Micro Bend b) Macro bending

Excessive bending of the cable or fibre may result in loss known as Macrobend loss. This loss may occur when wrapping the fibre on a spool or pulling the fibre cable around a corner. Safe bending distance for most types of fibre s is approximately 20 times total fibre dia (with sheath and armour), normally given by manufacturer. For single mode fibre attenuation at longer wavelengths like 1550 nm is sensitive to bending. Minimum bending radius not only depends on attenuation but also on strength of fibre. Total attenuation is the sum of all the attenuations. REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What are the factors contributing for loss in optical fibre cables? 2. What is the inference from the graph ? 3. What are the other types of losses in an optical fibre cables ?