Optical distorting element

摘要

The invention relates to an optical distorting element for simulating an optical fibre. Such simulations are required in optical fibre measuring instruments and during adjustment in fibre optic transmission systems. Transmission distortions occur in optical fibres in consequence of material and modal dispersion, which must be measured and equalised. The transit time transmission distortions occurring in a long optical fibre are simulated in the distorting element by the parallel connection of a plurality of short optical fibre paths of different lengths. The attenuation can be effected by inserting a common attenuation element and/or by inserting attenuation elements dedicated to individual paths, which can be fixed or adjustable. Power splitting between the paths can also be effected by means of appropriately constructed optical fibre couplers.