Influence of fiber parameters on skew in single-mode fiber ribbons

The influence of fiber parameters on skew has been experimentally clarified by using single-mode 16-fiber ribbons with different fiber parameters. The skews are measured for fibers in 16-fiber ribbons. It is found that not only the relative refractive index difference /spl Delta/ but also the ratio of the mode field diameter to the core diameter influence the skew. The time of flight is measured for 16-fiber ribbons under several temperature and strain values. Although the time of flight is influenced both by temperature and strain, it is confirmed experimentally that skew is independent of fiber parameters. These results indicate that the skew of a fiber ribbon under a uniform environment can be determined from fiber parameter differences. Previously proposed equations for evaluating the skew are used to design fibers in a fiber ribbon in order to realize fiber ribbons with the desired skew value.