Measurements of the nonlinear coefficient of standard, SMF, DSF, and DCF fibers using a self-aligned interferometer and a Faraday mirror

Using a method based on the detection of the Kerr phase shift by a self-aligned interferometer, we present measurements of the nonlinear coefficient n/sub 2//A/sub eff/ for standard single-mode fiber (SMF), dispersion-shifted fibers, and dispersion compensating fibers. The presence of a Faraday mirror in the interferometer makes the setup very robust, and different test fibers can be measured without any further readjustments. Interlaboratory comparisons show that the values found with our method are in good agreement with the other ones. Further, analysis of a SMF fiber with large chromatic dispersion shows a good reproducibility of the n/sub 2//A/sub eff/ measurements as a function of fiber length.