The broadening of an optical pulse due to different path lengths taken through the fiber by different modes is called:

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Modal dispersion occurs in optical fibers when different modes (paths) that light can take through the fiber arrive at the end at different times, causing the pulse to spread out or broaden. This is distinct from chromatic dispersion, which is related to the spread of different wavelengths, and polarization mode dispersion, which involves the differential arrival times of light based on its polarization state.

The Broadening of an Optical Pulse Due to Different Path