Chromatic dispersion measurement in 1.55 mu m narrow-band region using a tunable external-cavity laser

Measurement of the chromatic dispersion of an 80.6-km-long, concatenated, dispersion-shifted, single-mode fiber (DSF) with a tunable 1.55- mu m external-cavity laser diode, using the phase-shift technique at 1.55 mu m over 80-nm bandwidth, is discussed. It is shown that the technique does not need intricate curve-fitting equations or a large number of laser sources with specified wavelengths. As a result, the measurement configuration and procedure are relatively simple. The technique is useful for measuring the chromatic dispersion of future advanced fibers such as dispersion flattened fibers with various refractive index profiles.>