Dispersion Loss:

Definition: Dispersion refers to the broadening or spreading of transmitted

light pulses as they travel along the fiber.

Types of Dispersion

Modal dispersion (Inter-modal dispersion)

Chromatic Dispersion (Intra-modal dispersion)

Modal Dispersion (Inter-modal dispersion)

 It is a type of dispersion due to multimode propagating through an
optical fiber.
 It occurs in multimode fibers, where multiple modes of light can
propagate through the fiber
 Each mode has a different group velocity so each ray follows different
path of different length that causes propagation delay
 The propagation delay differences between modes (different light
pulses) within a multimode fiber is termed as intermodal or modal
dispersion..
 Modal dispersion limits the bandwidth and transmission distance of
multimode fibers and can cause pulse broadening and distortion.
It can be minimized by using single-mode fibers, which only allow a
single mode of light to propagate through the fiber.
Chromatic Dispersion (Intra-modal dispersion)
 It is also called as Intra modal Dispersion
 It can occur in all types of Fiber
 Ideally light that is to be incident in fiber through laser should be
Chromatic
 But in practical situation light source is not chromatic
 They emit light with different wavelength
 These different wavelength undergoes different time delays
 So unequal delays experienced by different wavelength result in
chromatic distortions

Chromatic dispersion can be further divided into two types:

 Material dispersion : when the dispersion is caused due to the material
of the fiber then it is said to be material dispersion.
 Waveguide dispersion : when the dispersion is caused by the fiber
structure then it is said to be waveguide dispersion.