Structural analysis of jacketed optical fiber under lateral pressure

A theory is presented on the deformation of jacketed fibers due to lateral pressure, and its influence on microbending losses is assessed. This analysis, which is based on the theory Of elasticity, helps to clarify how lateral pressure and the structure of the fiber jacket conspire to cause excess fiber losses. Periodic pressure distributions with certain unfavorable period lengths are shown to lead to a pronounced enhancement of excess losses.