Measurement of zero-dispersion wavelength using a novel method based on cw four-wave mixing

Summary form only given. The performance of long-haul high-capacity optical transmission systems based on WDM requires knowledge of the zero-dispersion wavelength, /spl lambda//sub 0/, in order to reduce power penalties due to nonlinearities. In dispersion-shifted fibers, it is necessary to allocate high-power wavelength channels away from the /spl lambda//sub 0/s over the nonlinear length. Considering the amount of dispersion-shifted fiber deployed in both terrestrial and festoon links, it is of critical importance to be able to measure the /spl lambda//sub 0/s using a simple and direct method, which should require access to only one end of the fiber. We propose a nondestructive technique to measure directly all the /spl lambda//sub 0/s within the nonlinear length. This technique uses cw light, requires access to only one end of the fiber, and is based on the effect that causes the penalty in the system. The experimental method developed was used in a field measurement to characterize the Brazilian fiber festoon cable. The technique proposed is based on the measurement of the four-wave mixing efficiency.