Do optical fiber signal losses due to microbend-induced attenuation decrease with mode-field diameter?

When discussing the relationship between optical fiber signal losses due to microbend-induced attenuation and mode-field diameter, it's essential to understand the nature of microbends and how they affect light propagation in optical fibers. Microbend-induced attenuation occurs when slight, localized bending of the fiber causes light to leak out of the core, leading to signal loss.

As the mode-field diameter increases, the energy distribution of the light traveling within the fiber's core becomes broader. This broader distribution means that less of the light is concentrated in the narrow areas affected by microbends. Consequently, fibers with a larger mode-field diameter tend to be less sensitive to microbends, resulting in reduced microbend-induced attenuation. This fundamental relationship highlights why it is accurate to state that microbend-induced attenuation decreases with an increase in mode-field diameter.

Understanding this principle helps in selecting the appropriate fiber type for specific installations, particularly in environments where physical disturbances may occur that could lead to microbending.