Related Optical Terms and Definitions. For a complete list go to our
Terms and Definitions Page.
Coherence Length
Average distance over which superimposed waves lose their phase relationships
Linewidth
Linewidth is the width of a spectral line in terms of wavelength, wave number and frequency.
Power Flatness Versus Wavelength
When changing the wavelength at constant power setting and recording the differences between actual and displayed power levels, the power flatness is ± half the span (in dB) between the maximum and the minimum of the measured power levels.
Spectral Width
Spectral Width is the wavelength interval over which the magnitude of all spectral components is equal to or greater than a specified fraction of the magnitude of the component having the maximum value. In optical communications applications, the usual method of specifying spectral width is the full width at half maximum. This is the same convention used in bandwidth, defined as the frequency range where power drops by less than half (at most -3 dB).
Telecom Bands
Optical fiber communications typically operate in a wavelength region corresponding to one of the following Bands. O Band (original): 1260–1360 nm. E Band (extended): 1360–1460 nm. S Band (short wavelengths): 1460–1530 nm. C Band (conventional): 1530–1565 nm. L Band (long wavelengths): 1565–1625 nm. U Band (ultralong wavelengths): 1625–1675 nm
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