Cutoff wavelength of single-mode fibers: Definition, measurement, and length and curvature dependence

The cutoff wavelength λ_c as defined by the CCITT can be defined equivalently as that wavelength for which the attenuation of the second-order LP₁₁ mode is 19.34 dB higher than the attenuation of the fundamental mode. This equivalent definition of λ_c does not depend on the length and curvature of the fiber. Both measuring methods for λ_c, the bending method and the multimode reference method, are analyzed and the measurement conditions that lead to the CCITT cutoff wavelength are indicated. The bend attenuation of the second-order mode of a typical matched-cladding, step-index fiber is calculated numerically, and methods are described to determine the length and curvature dependence of the cutoff wavelength from the bend loss data.