LATERAL OFFSET LOSS

1. In fiber optics , a loss of optical power at a splice or connector , caused by a lateral, i.e. , transverse, offset of the mating fiber cores, which offset causes an imperfect transfer of the optical signal from the "transmitting" fiber to the "receiving" fiber. Note: The effect of a given amount of lateral offset will depend on other parameters such as the relative diameters of the respective cores. For example: if, because of manufacturing tolerances, the "transmitting" core is smaller than the "receiving" core, the effect will be less than if both cores were the same size. [After FAA ] 2. An analogous loss of optical power caused by lateral misalignment of the fiber and optical source . [ FAA ] Synonym transverse offset loss.