Suppression technique for discrete polarisation‐dependent loss in a polarisation modulated link

Abstract

A link employing a polarisation modulator aligned for intensity modulation applications is presented in which a discrete source of polarisation-dependent loss (PDL) is mitigated by intentionally altering the bias phase point of the link. The experimental data is verified by an earlier theoretical approach which describes a discrete PDL impairment in an otherwise ideal RF photonic link. The cancellation technique provided as much as 20 dB suppression of second-order distortion in the link.