Three Factors that Affect Splicing Performance
Attenuation can cause performance issues because of dirty fiber end faces, excessive gaps between fibers or improperly installed connector offsets of fiber cores when mated. The second factor affecting splicing performance is called Angle Acceptance also known as Modal Dispersion. This has to do with a differential delay between the modes, which can cause for a lower bandwidth. The last and final factor is Chromatic dispersion which is the limited bandwidth of certain single mode optical fibers. This has to do with the length of light that is emitted through wave lengths. The best way to avoid these affects is to make sure the ratings match and the splicing is perfect, as well as the end faces meet.
Three Intrinsic Factors
The first factor is the Core Diameter Mismatch which has the greatest effect on intrinsic coupling loss than other types of fiber mismatches. Coupling loss from core diameter mismatch results only if the launching fiber has a larger core radius (a) than the receiving fiber (Integrated Publishing, Inc., n.d.).This type of loss is only associated with multimode fibers. To avoid the core diameter mismatch, the integrator should use the same size core diameter and preferably from the same manufacturer. The second factor is the Numerical Aperture (NA) mismatch. This mismatch can occur when the NA of one optical fiber is different from the NA of the other optical fiber. Lastly, in mode field diameter mismatch occurs when there is a difference in the mode field diameters of two single mode optical fibers. To avoid these issues you want to make sure that the mating sleeves are clean and free of dirt. To be clean of any issues use proper cutting equipment for splicing for the appropriate diameters of each end faces match.
Three Extrinsic Factors
Fiber End Preparation is an optical fiber-end face. These end faces must be flat, smooth, and perpendicular to the fiber 's axis
References: Integrated Publishing, Inc. (2007). Optical Splices, Connectors, and Couplers Learning Objectives. In Navy Electrical Engineering Training Series. Port Richey, Florida, United States of America: Integrated Publishing, Inc. Retrieved November 9, 2014, from http://www.tpub.com/neets/book24/chapter4/index.htm Integrated Publishing, Inc. (n.d.). Fiber Splicing. Retrieved November 9, 2014, from Integrated Publishing, Inc.: http://www.tpub.com/neets/tm/108-4.htm Oliviero, A., & Woodward, B. (2011). Splicing. In A. Oliviero, & B. Woodward, Cabling: The Complete Guide to Copper and Fiber-Optic Networking (4th ed., pp. 617-624). Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.