Bandwidth and modal noise effects in fused-head-end multimode fiber passive components

Passive multimode fiber components, particularly 1-to-2 splitters/couplers, manufactured using the fused-head-end technique, are tested under network conditions. The mode power transfer matrix and its effects on the network are discussed. The modification of the pulse mode spectrum in the splitter is analyzed by studying the pulsewidth variation and the transmitted pulse power for components at the near and far end of a long length of fiber. The modal noise generated in such passive fiber components is determined, and the modal noise ratio (MNR) and the modal noise susceptibility (MNS) are introduced as figures of merit characterizing modal noise sources and multimode fiber passive components, respectively