High average power effects in optical fibers and devices

Optical fibers are susceptible to catastrophic damage at relatively low optical powers of less than 1 watt. This threshold, exceeded by several times, and in some instances by a factor of ten in today’s amplified wavelength division multiplexed optical communication systems, poses a dormant problem for many optical devices, fiber-connectors and optical fiber links. This paper presents perspectives on this issue based on research performed on the subject.