The surface defined by the locus of points that have the same phase, i.e., have the same path length from the source. [After 2196]
Note 1: The wavefront is perpendicular to the ray that represents an electromagnetic wave.
Note 2: The plane in which the electric and magnetic field vectors lie is tangential to the wavefront at every point.
Note… (Read More →)

A material medium that confines and guides a propagating electromagnetic wave.
Note 1: In the microwave regime, a waveguide normally consists of a hollow metallic conductor, usually rectangular, elliptical, or circular in cross section. This type of waveguide may, under certain conditions, contain a solid or gaseous dielectric material.
Note 2: In the optical regime, a waveguide used as a… (Read More →)

See dispersion.

Scattering (other than material scattering) that is attributable to variations of geometry and refractive index profile of an optical fiber.

The distance between points of corresponding phase of two consecutive cycles of a wave.
Note: The wavelength, , is related to the propagation velocity, v, and the frequency, f, by = v/f.

Of an optical source during a specified period, the maximum deviation of the peak wavelength from its mean value.

In optical fiber communications, any technique by which two or more optical signals having different wavelengths may be simultaneously transmitted in the same direction over one fiber, and then be separated by wavelength at the distant end.

Wide Band Code Division Multiple Access

Abbreviation for wavelength-division multiplexing.

Wavelength Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network