Measurement of distributed losses in optical waveguides: a new technique.

An accurate measurement method for waveguide loss measurement is reported which is suitable for the determination of low values of distributed loss in integrated optical waveguides. The technique is insensitive to the values of other circuit characteristics such as splitter loss and splitting ratio; indeed it provides a means of evaluating most relevant circuit parameters. The concept is demonstrated through the use of discrete single-mode fiber optical components, and it is shown that the method is capable of generating repeatable measurements of waveguide loss with good accuracy.