A wide band dispersion-controlled fiber which comprises a core forming an optical
signal transmission path and having a peak refractive index, and a cladding surrounding
the core and having a peak refractive index lower than the peak refractive index
of the core. The wide band dispersion-controlled fiber further comprises at least
one dispersion control layer arranged between the core and the cladding and having
a refractive index profile such that its refractive index increases from an inner
periphery to an outer periphery. The minimum refractive index of the dispersion
control layer is less than the peak refractive indices of the core and cladding.