Usage-based comparison of ESI techniques

A comparative study of equivalent-step-index (ESI) techniques is performed on the basis of the ESI fiber's ability to predict the bend, transition, microbending and splice loss, waveguide dispersion, launching efficiency, and second-mode cutoff wavelength. Theoretical and experimental investigations were performed to determine the accuracy of the predictions. It was found that none of the present ESI techniques can be used to characterize all features of interest for a single-mode fiber with great accuracy. However, for the purpose of producing specifications on the behavior of single-mode fiber systems, it may be adequate to specify bounds on parameters such as bend loss within a factor of two.