Multicore fiber (MCF) is gaining attention across a wide range of applications, including data centers, core and metro networks, and submarine optical networks, as a technology for increasing transmission capacity. However, one challenge unique to MCF is inter-core crosstalk.
This white paper describes the mechanisms leading to inter-core crosstalk and its impact on transmission quality. It also introduces the importance of field validation and evaluation methods using MCF-compatible OTDRs, particularly for crosstalk variations that occur after installation.
