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Glossary
84
IQ-2600B
and the orientation of these PSPs changes with wavelength.
Not to be confused with axes of birefringence. Only in the
spectral case of a single HiBi fiber are the PSPs and the axes
of birefringence the same.
Rayleigh scattering
Scattering by inhomogeneities in the fiber that are small with
respect to wavelength. This scattering mechanism is present
in all silica-based fibers. The OTDR principle is based upon
the measurement of this backscattering.
RIN
Relative Intensity Noise. A useful measure of the inherent
noise of an optical source as a function of frequency
(relative to the carrier). Given as a ratio of noise power per
frequency interval divided by the total power. For a DFB
laser, a typical value is -100 dB/Hz at 100 MHz.
RMA
Return merchandise authorization
RNF
Refracted near field
s
Second
sensitivity
For an optical instrument, the smallest signal that can be
detected in the absence of any other signal.
Si
Silicon
SMSR
Side mode suppression ratio
SNR
Signal-to-noise ratio. The ratio of the received optical power,
divided by the noise floor for the optical system.
SSE
Source spontaneous emission
state of polarization
(SOP)
The orientation of the electric field vector of a propagating
optical wave. In general, this vector will trace an ellipse as it
propagates. In special cases, it will remain oriented in one
direction (linear polarization) or will trace out a circle (left or
right circular polarization).
t
Time
T
Abbreviation for tera, which indicates 10
12
units.
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