Higher data rates and the ever-growing demand for ubiquitous connectivity results in the rapid evolution of optical communications technology. There's a gradual increase of signaling rates and modulation schemes are more and more complexified, therefore, guaranteeing a high-fidelity optical transmission medium is becoming of even higher importance. Photonic integrated circuits(PICs) based on silicon photonics or other developing technologies are the base of modern networks. This introduces additional variables into the design and deployment of robust high bandwidth optical systems. Measurement and full characterization of loss along the light path is a basic tool in the design and optimization of these components and fiber optic networks.

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