The Corning SMF-28 is a single-mode optical fiber supplied in a 40 km length for long-distance telecommunications and data transmission. This fiber delivers minimal attenuation across the C-band and L-band windows, with typical performance at 1550 nm of 0.18–0.20 dB/km in standard configurations. The fiber meets stringent mechanical and optical specifications through full-length proof testing at ≥100 kpsi tensile stress and precision control of core and cladding geometry.
Technical Specifications
Optical Performance:
• Core diameter: 8.2–8.3 µm
• Cladding diameter: 125.0 ± 0.7 µm
• Numerical aperture: 0.13–0.14
• Zero dispersion wavelength: 1300–1324 nm
• Zero dispersion slope: ≤0.086–0.092 ps/(nm²·km)
• Attenuation at 1310 nm: ≤0.35 dB/km (standard); ≤0.25 dB/km (premium)
• Attenuation at 1550 nm: ≤0.30 dB/km (standard); ≤0.20 dB/km (cabled); 0.16 dB/km (ULL)
• Attenuation at 1625 nm: ≤0.20 dB/km (uncabled); ≤0.30 dB/km (cabled)
• Polarization mode dispersion (link design value): ≤0.04 ps/√km
• Maximum individual fiber PMD: ≤0.1 ps/√km
• Point discontinuity: ≤0.05 dB at 1310 nm, 1550 nm, and 1625 nm
• Cable cutoff wavelength: ≤1260 nm
Macrobend Loss:
• 25 mm radius, 100 turns: ≤0.05 dB at 1310, 1550, and 1625 nm
• 15 mm radius, 10 turns: ≤0.05 dB at 1550 nm; ≤0.30 dB at 1625 nm
• 10 mm radius, 100 turns: ≤0.50 dB at 1550 nm; ≤1.5 dB at 1625 nm
Physical Specifications:
• Coating diameter: 245 ± 5 µm (standard); 200 µm (reduced)
• Coating-cladding concentricity: ≤0.5 µm
• Cladding non-circularity: ≤0.7%
• Fiber curl: ≥4.0 m radius of curvature
• Proof test: ≥100 kpsi (0.69 GPa) applied to entire length
– Key Features
• Ultra-low attenuation across standard C-band and extended L-band windows
• Controlled PMD for high-capacity WDM systems
• Bend-insensitive performance at 1550 nm and 1625 nm wavelengths
• Fatigue resistance parameter (nd): 20
• Tight geometric tolerances ensure reproducible splicing and connection performance
– Typical Applications
• Long-haul terrestrial and submarine cable systems
• WDM and CWDM network infrastructure
• Backbone and metropolitan area network spans
• High-capacity point-to-point transmission links
– Compatibility & Integration
SMF-28 operates across the 1285–1625 nm window with spectral attenuation variation ≤0.03 dB/km (1285–1330 nm) and ≤0.02 dB/km (1525–1575 nm). The fiber accommodates standard field connectorization and fusion splicing practices for terrestrial and submarine deployment.
