Low-noise radio over graded-index plastic optical fiber

We developed a graded-index plastic optical fiber (GI POF) that enables lower-noise radio frequency (RF) transmission than conventional multimode fibers for short-distance household applications (<100 m). It is shown that reflection noise degrades RF transmission, regardless of the carrier frequency, through the spurious generation that accompanies the RF modulation of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. The GI POF with distinctive mode coupling, which is closely related to its microscopic polymer structure, suppresses noise and spurious generation to improve transmission quality. Our low-noise radio-over-GI-POF technology will offer significant advantages for optical wiring systems for broadcast and communication in small- and medium-scale buildings.