
measuring NA directly from the fiber refractive index profile will typically
generate a value higher than that derived from taking the sine of the half-angle
of the output cone due to the influence of cutoff wavelength.
8.6.3 Is There a Connection Between Polarization
Maintenance and Attenuation?
One question that is often asked is What is the difference in attenuation
between the fast and slow axes? The answer, in all but the most extreme
applications, is Nothing. Theoretically, the slow axis is more strongly guiding
and has been both the transmission axis of choice in the majority of applications
and the axis most often ‘‘keyed’’ in PM connectors, ...