We achieved the first 10 Gb/s WDM transmission at 1064 and 1550 nm over 24 km of photonic crystal fiber (PCF). We confirmed an improvement in the bit error rate (BER) performance after the transmission, namely "negative power penalties" of -0.5 and -0.3 dB at 1064 and 1550 nm, respectively. Our experimental result and theoretical estimation revealed that the signal degradation induced by the chromatic dispersion can be effectively suppressed by employing the pre-chirp technique with a conventional Z-cut lithium niobate (LN) modulator. We also show theoretically that we can expect to realize 10 Gb/s transmission over a 24 km PCF with negligible BER degradation in the 1060 to 1600 nm wavelength range by using the pre-chirp technique.

This letter describes design and performance of small-size push-on type connectors. Considering bending and tensile stress applied to the push-on type coupling, the minimum dimensions of the coupling have been clarified. The constructed connectors for multimode fibers showed average insertion losses of 0.1-0.2 dB.

Recently, there have been a number of studies on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems designed to increase transmission capacity and flexibility. This has in turn made it necessary to design the optical loss for optical fiber networks over a wide wavelength range. However, there is no general optical loss design method that allows us to employ for an optical fiber network over a wide wavelength range. In this paper, we propose a novel optical loss design and estimation method based on multiple regression analysis and statistical loss design technology for designing new optical fiber networks and for upgrading those that have already been installed. We show that the method can be used for highly accurate optical loss design and estimation from the O- to the L-band (1260 nm to 1625 nm), except for the E-band, by using easily obtainable optical loss values at wavelengths of 1310 and 1550 nm, which are usually used for communication. Moreover, we also show that the accuracy of our proposed method can be improved by selecting proper additional predictor wavelengths.

This paper describes a high-speed MT connector assembly method. This technique uses adhesive with a short hardening time, is highly reliable and does not require a polishing process, thus reducing the connector assembly time. First, we investigated an alpha-cyanoacrylate adhesive that hardens quickly and whose adhesive strength does not decrease under high humidity and high temperature conditions, thus ensuring its excellent reliability for outside use. In addition, we investigated variations in the position of the fiber endface on the ferrule endface with a view to obtaining a low insertion loss. Based on the results, we assembled an MT connector using our proposed high-speed assembly method. We confirmed that the assembly time could be reduced to less than 70% of the time required with the conventional method. MT connectors assembled using this technique have a low insertion loss and stable environmental characteristics.

This paper proposes a surveillance system concept, which includes the analysis of fiber fault factors and monitored items, the architecture for diagnosing fiber degradation and the system configuration. Fiber faults are classified into two types. One is fiber failure caused by fiber axial tensile strain and the other is fiber loss increase caused by fiber bending and the absorption of hydrogen molecules. It was found that there is an urgent need for fiber axial strain monitoring, sensitive loss monitoring operating at longer wavelengths and water sensing, in order to detect the origin and early indications of these faults before the service is affected. Moreover, an algorithm for predicting and diagnosing fiber faults based on the detected results was investigated and systematized.

This letter describes the polarization mode dispersion (PMD) characteristic of optical fiber ribbons inserted tightly into helical slots. We investigate the mechanism of the birefringence induced in the optical fiber ribbons by lateral stress resulting from tension and bending in the helical slots. We discuss methods for the design of low PMD cables with reduced birefringence by considering coating materials and tensile strain control.