The significance of return loss The introduction of new technologies in optical transmission systems has created the need to adapt measurement techniques for component characterization. In particular, this has been the case since the introduction of single- mode fiber to optical high-speed transmission systems. Special lasers with narrow linewidth have to be used for the transmission (these are known as Distributed Feedback Lasers DFBs). However, the smaller linewidth the more sensative the laser becomes with regard to backreflections.