Selection of mandrel wrap mode filters for optical fiber loss measurements

A selection criterion for mode filters based on far-field patterns is developed. The criterion is used to select a mandrel wrap filter for 50 μm core diameter, 125 μm outside diameter fibers with δ=1.1%. When cut-back loss measurements were made using the mandrel wrap chosen in this way, loss scaled with length to within ± 0.05 dB/km in three 2-km fibers.