Abstract

Polarization effects in single-mode fiber have taken on new importance with the application of single-frequency sources and coherent detection in optical communication systems. One of the most important effects that needs to be considered is polarization dispersion which is generally manifested in two ways: (1) in the time domain, as polarization-dependent broadening and distortion of transmitted waveforms and (2) in the frequency domain, as frequency dependence in the state of polarization at the output of a fiber. The decreased spectral width of sources has greatly reduced the effects of chromatic dispersion making (1) a potential limitation in both direct detection and coherent systems, particularly near the dispersion minima of fibers.¹

© 1988 Optical Society of America