title: Modal-noise generation in biconical-taper couplers.
abstract: The modal noise resulting from the dividing of coherent light in fused biconical-taper star and access couplers is measured. The theoretical explanation of the results is presented. It is found that modal-noise generation is not severe even in those cases in which the light is strongly subdivided by a biconical-taper star coupler with a large number of ports. The performance of most digital fiber systems using such couplers is not expected to be significantly degraded by the measured levels of modal noise.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tremblay