What does the insertion loss of a star splitter represent?

The insertion loss of a star splitter is fundamentally defined as the ratio of the power at the output port to the power at the input port. This metric quantifies how much optical power is lost as the signal passes through the splitter. Essentially, it is a measure of the efficiency of the device in transmitting light from the input to the output ports.

A star splitter, used commonly in fiber optic networks, divides an incoming optical signal into multiple outputs. The insertion loss is important because it helps determine how effectively the splitter transfers the light signal, which directly affects the overall performance of the optical communication system. Ideally, you want the insertion loss to be low, indicating that most of the input power is being successfully delivered to the output ports without significant loss.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of fiber optics but do not accurately describe what insertion loss specifically represents in the context of a star splitter. For instance, the measurement of fiber quality over distance pertains to other factors such as attenuation, while the loss due to fiber bends pertains to physical characteristics of the fiber itself. Lastly, comparisons of optical power across different wavelengths address spectral characteristics, which are separate from the concept of insertion loss related to a splitter's performance.