Single-mode-fibre cutoff measurements using offset splice technique: excess loss effects

The effect of excess loss mechanisms on the measurement of the LP11 mode cutoff wavelength using the offset splice technique is investigated. We show that the measured cutoff wavelength will shift towards shorter wavelengths only if excess attenuation is present in both the emitting and receiving fibres. The shift is not observed if the excess loss is only present in one of the two fibres.