Abstract

A novel differential group delay time measurement system has been used to analyze the detailed features of pulse broadening in concatenated multimode graded-index optical fibers. For the first time optical modal delay equalization has been confirmed by measuring the delays of individual mode groups. It has been found that when concatenating fibers with minimal excess loss using low loss splices, the differential mode delay characteristics are additive. Thus, optical fiber routes could be tailored, if necessary, for maximum information carrying capacity.