Abstract: An accurate and simplified method of non-destructively measuring the zero-dispersion wavelength along the length of a single-mode fiber is disclosed. The method includes the steps of measuring the FWM intensity of the optical fiber at a plurality of wavelengths, plotting the measured FWM intensity at each of the plurality of wavelengths to obtain a curve representative of the FWM intensity of each of the plurality of wavelength, and performing a non-linear inversion on the curve to obtain the zero-dispersion wavelength along the length of the fiber.

Abstract: An underwater optical fiber cable (20) which is substantially free of hydrogen generation includes a core portion (22) which includes an optical transmission medium and which may comprise a terrestrial cable and a sheath system which may be an oversheath for the terrestrial cable. An outer portion of the sheath system includes a plurality of longitudinally extending strength members (42--42) each being made of a metal having a relatively low chemical or electrochemical reactivity. Covering individually each strength member is a plastic material (60) such as polyethylene.

Abstract: Compressive strain in cabled optical fibers can cause buckling of the fibers and resulting microbending loss. To measure the longitudinal compression in cabled optical fibers, a modulated laser beam is directed through a first fiber and looped back to the origin by a second fiber. Next, the cable is stretched until tensile strain is indicated by a change in phase of the modulated signal. The amount of stretching required indicates the degree of compression on the fibers in the unstretched cable, and hence the amount of excess length of fiber in the cable. To measure excess fiber in relatively long lengths of cable, a portion of the cable can remain reeled, and the strain applied to the unreeled portion. A correction factor can be determined for slippage between the fiber and sheath in the reeled portion.