We successfully obtained a high-bandwidth (1 GHz km) and low-loss (90 dB/km at 0.572 µm of wavelength) graded-index polymer optical fiber by using the interfacial-gel polymerization technique, in which we used an unreactive component to obtain the quadratic refractive-index distribution. This high-bandwidth graded-index polymer optical fiber makes it possible to transmit a high-speed optical signal in a short-range network, which is not possible when we use the step-index type of polymer optical fiber commercially available.
A newly developed graded-index polymer optical fiber (GI-POF) with high-temperature and high-humidity stability was proposed. As it was found that the high numerical aperture and high glass transition temperature () at the core center of the GI-POF were key issues to achieve both high-temperature and humidity stability, a partially fluorinated polymer material was adopted to obtain both characteristics in the GI-POF. The newly developed GI-POF had low-loss (140 dB/km at 650-nm wavelength), high-bandwidth (higher than 1 GHz for 100 m transmission), high-temperature and humidity stability at 70 C, 80% relative humidity (R.H.) and low bending loss. Index Terms-Graded-index polymer optical fiber (GI-POF), high-temperature stability, glass transition temperature, numerical aperture, partially fluorinated polymer.
The optimum refractive-index distribution of the high-bandwidth graded-index polymer optical fiber (POP) was clarified for the first time by consideration of both modal and material dispersions. The ultimate bandwidth achieved by the POP is investigated by a quantitative estimation of the material dispersion as well as the modal dispersion. The results indicate that even if the refractive-index distribution is tightly controlled, the bandwidth of the graded-index POP is dominated by the material dispersion when the required bit rate becomes larger than a few gigabits per second. It is also confirmed that the material dispersion strongly depends on the matrix polymer and that the use of a fluorinated polymer whose material dispersion [-0.078 ns/(nm km)] is lower than that of poly(methyl methacrylate) [-0.305 ns/(nm km)] allows for a 10-Gb/s signal transmission.
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