Dispersion Compensation in Optical Systems

This lecture discusses the dispersion problem in optical systems, where dispersion, not loss, is the main limitation at high bit rates. Various compensation methods in both optical and electrical domains are explored, including dispersion compensating fiber (DCF) and slope compensation. The importance of slope matching for perfect dispersion compensation is highlighted, along with the disadvantages of DCF such as added loss and nonlinear effects. Different dispersion maps and fixed compensation techniques using fiber spans are also covered, aiming to cancel the phase factor and achieve optimal system performance.