Spectral-domain measurement of the temperature sensitivity of group modal birefringence of polarization-maintaining optical fibers

Abstract

Abstract A new and simple method of measuring the sensitivity of the group modal birefringence of polarization maintaining fibers (PMFs) to temperature is presented, which is based on a measurement of the period of the spectrum of a Sagnac interferometer containing the tested PMF. The measured period of the spectrum of the interferometer as a function of temperature is used to determine the sensitivity of the period of the spectrum or the sensitivity of the group delay of the polarization modes of the PMF to temperature. Each of the determined sensitivities makes it possible to calculate the sensitivity of the group modal birefringence of the investigated PMF to temperature. Results of measurements of the temperature sensitivity of group modal birefringence of the following PMFs are given: a polarization maintaining photonic crystal fiber (PM-PCF) and a Panada PMF. The measurements were taken using the presented method in the temperature range 22–75 °C and for the wavelength range 1520–1580 nm.