High-resolution zero-dispersion wavelength fluctuation mapping in dispersion-shifted fiber

Summary form only given. Accurate dispersion management has become critical in high-speed wavelength-division multiplexing optical links. Several nondestructive techniques have been developed to measure the dispersion variations along the length of the fiber. However, occasionally very accurate information about the zero-dispersion wavelength (/spl lambda//sub 0/) is needed. Our technique provides a very accurate measurement of the spatial fluctuation of /spl lambda//sub 0/ and its spatial distribution. This technique, which uses four-wave mixing, can be applied also to measure the fluctuation in the chromatic dispersion and to other fibers /spl lambda//sub 0/ in the vicinity of 1.5 /spl mu/m.