Design optimization of a dual-core dispersion-compensating fiber with a high figure of merit and a large effective area for dense wavelength-division multiplexed transmission through standard G.655 fibers

We report design optimization in terms of index-profile parameters of a dual-core dispersion-slope-compensating fiber suitable for broadband dispersion compensation in standard G.655 and G.655b single-mode fibers over the C and L bands of fiber amplifiers and additionally over the S band for the G.655b fibers. It takes into account profiles that can be achieved with state-of-the-art fabrication techniques such as modified chemical-vapor deposition. Relatively high mode effective areas ensure the reduced sensitivity of the fiber to detrimental nonlinear effects when the fiber is integrated into a dense wavelength-division-multiplexed network. The theoretical figures of merit of these DCFs were found to be > or = 700 (ps/dB)/nm; furthermore, the estimated bend losses were also quite low, even for bend radii as small as 16 mm.