Corning® LEAF® optical fiber, the world’s first large-effective-area, non-zero dispersion-shifted fiber (NZ-DSF) is now further optimized for long-haul networks by applying Corning’s low-loss technology. Already the lowest-loss NZ-DSF fiber on the market, Corning low-loss technology reduces LEAF fiber’s attenuation specification to 0.19dB/km at 1550nm. This is a 3dB improvement at 1550nm for a typical 100 kilometer span over other available NZ-DSF products. This attenuation improvement will enable LEAF fiber to achieve longer transmission distances and facilitate an upgrade path to higher data rates of 40Gb/s and 100 Gb/s.

LEAF optical fiber, introduced in 1998, is the backbone of many of the world’s most advanced long-haul networks and is the most widely deployed ITU G.655 compliant NZ-DSF fiber in the world. The performance of this fiber is proven by its operation in more than 100 carrier networks worldwide.

Compared to other non-zero dispersion-shifted fibers, LEAF fiber  with its large effective area  allows higher levels of optical power to be transmitted while minimizing nonlinear impairments that can degrade transmission-system performance. This fiber has low chromatic dispersion, which simplifies dispersion compensation and lowers the cost of network installation and operation for long-haul carriers. In addition, this fiber has low polarization mode dispersion (PMD), which enables high-data-rate transmission. LEAF fiber continues to be the fiber of choice for new, long-haul builds and upgrades to existing builds as it provides longer uncompensated reach, room for future upgrades, and optical specifications that can be leveraged to simplify and lower network costs.

Corning Incorporated will feature its full portfolio of industry-leading optical fibers at OFC/NFOEC 2011, March 8-10, in Los Angeles. For further information about Corning optical fiber, visit www.corning.com/opticalfiber.

About Corning Incorporated
Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) is the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. Drawing on more than 150 years of materials science and process engineering knowledge, Corning creates and makes keystone components that enable high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications and life sciences. Our products include glass substrates for LCD televisions, computer monitors and laptops; ceramic substrates and filters for mobile emission control systems; optical fiber, cable, hardware & equipment for telecommunications networks; optical biosensors for drug discovery; and other advanced optics and specialty glass solutions for a number of industries including semiconductor, aerospace, defense, astronomy and metrology.