Accuracy issues in polarization mode dispersion measurements: Stokes parameter evaluation technique, state-of-polarization method, and fixed analyzer technique

Abstract

As optical communication systems become more complex the quality of signals can be significantly affected by polarization mode dispersion (PMD) effects from optical fiber and in-line components. While the PMD is a vector quantity with a magnitude differential group delay (DGD) and a direction principal state of polarization (PSP), the interest was focus on the DGD value. Vendors demand from optical components manufacturers that the DGD introduced by a devices to be below a certain value. For this reason it is imperative to be able to accurately measure the PMD effects. In this report we present our investigation with respect to the accuracy issues related to the three techniques used for the PMD measurement. In each case the advantages and the drawbacks are presented. We have selected these methods because they are three among the four methods suggested by ITU-T under Recommendation G.650(1997 modified 2000).