Refractive index measurements on single-mode fiber as functions of product parameters, tensile stress, and temperature

This paper describes results of a recent study that characterizes effective index of refraction for commercially available matched-clad, single-mode optical fibers. Effects of product parameter, stress, and temperature ranges on the index are reported. Direct measurements of flight times, fiber lengths, tensile loads, elongations, and temperatures provide index of refraction accuracy to four decimal places. Nominal effective index of refraction values found for unshifted fiber were 1.4675 and 1.4681 at 1300 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths, respectively; values for dispersion-shifted fiber were 1.4718 and 1.4711. Both fiber types at each wavelength displayed index versus stress slopes of -0.000024/kpsi, and index versus temperature slopes of 0.000012/°C.