Effect of grading on the characteristics of a dispersion compensated fibre

The effect of grading on the performance of a dispersion compensated optica l fibre (DCF) has been studied using spot size technique and been compared with the performance of a conventional step index DCF. The percentage chang e in the figure of merit, i.e. (dFOM/FOM (%)), of the graded index DCFs wit h exponent q values equal to 1, 2, 4 and 8 with respect to the step index ( q = infinity) DCF has been calculated. The comparison with step index DCF s hows that the maximum positive change in the figure of merit (FOM) occurs i n the case of a triangular core (q = 1) DCF. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.