The drastic market expansion of AI applications, the demand for high-speed and large-capacity optical communications continues to grow. Optical transceivers that convert electrical and optical signals are used for transmitters and receivers in high-speed and large-capacity optical communication networks. Serving the increase in communication traffic in recent years, optical transceivers have become more integrated and smaller. The polarization-maintaining optical fibers (PANDA PM fibers) used in optical transceivers must be stored in a limited space, so optical fibers with a small allowable bending radius are required.

We achieved the suitable fiber design for “TitaniaBend PANDA PM fiber” that allows single-mode operation even under usage in a short length. Furthermore, adding a titanium-doped layer to the glass surface of the optical fiber combines optical properties and mechanical reliability under a small diameter bending radius. “TitaniaBend PANDA PM fiber” is applied under severe bending conditions of < 5 mm radius, and the bend loss is reduced by up to approximately 90% compared to conventional products for tight bends.

“TitaniaBend PANDA PM fiber” is an optimized solution for next-generation optical transceivers. The fiber was presented at SPIE Photonics West 2025^※3, held in San Francisco, USA, January 25-30, 2025.