ABSTRACT
The characterization of single-mode fibers (SMFs) is of interest to the manufacturer, the theoretician, and the system designer. However, the parameters of primary importance to the former are different from those more specific to the latter, and as the field of SMFs has been growing rapidly, many different measurement techniques are reported in the literature. The main groups active in standardizing optical fiber measurement procedures are the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee, the International Electrotechnical Commission, and the United States Electronic Industries Association. The structural parameters are directly related to the manufacturing conditions and concern the dopant distribution, geometry, and index profile. One category of measurement techniques is concerned with the determination of dopant concentration as a function of radial distance. Index profile determination of SMF preforms as well as graded-index multimode preforms has received considerable attention.
