Submarine, optical-fiber cable with optical fibers having tensile strain

摘要

A submarine, optical-fiber cable having a central metal wire, a slotted rod surrounding the wires, an absorbent sheath surrounding the slotted rod, a plurality of strength members helically wound around the absorbent sheath, a metal jacket surrounding the strength members, and a plastic sheath surrounding the metal jacket. The slotted rod includes peripheral helical slots, and each of the slots may receive at least one optical fiber or at least one optical ribbon. The optical ribbon includes at least two optical fibers. Each of the optical fibers has a tensile strain ranging from about 0.015 to 0.3% along its axis. The absorbent sheath includes a layer surrounding and contacting the slotted rod for absorbing water. The cable is suitable for operating in deep sea beds for a long period of time, for laying and recovering cables, and for quick repair. Modulated strain distribution in the optical fibers suppresses stimulated Brillouin scattering therein.