Title :
A fully polarimetric optical time-domain reflectometer
Author :
Elhison, J.G. ; Siddiqui, A.S.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electron. Syst. Eng., Essex Univ., Colchester, UK
Abstract :
We report the implementation of the first fully polarization sensitive optical time domain reflectometer (POTDR). This nondestructive measurement technique, requiring access to one fiber end only, enables the determination of both the linear and twist induced circular birefringence distribution along the fiber. This information, combined with a knowledge of the mode coupling length, enables the evaluation of the polarization mode dispersion (PMD) properties of fibers and optical cables exhibiting both types of birefringence, as well as identifying fiber sections with and without twist. The POTDR, which has a spatial resolution of 0.3 m, could also be used for monitoring the birefringence properties of fibers at the manufacturing stage, leading to optimization of fabrication techniques to minimize PMD.
Keywords :
birefringence; optical cables; optical fibre dispersion; optical fibre testing; optical fibre theory; optical time-domain reflectometry; polarimeters; birefringence properties; fabrication techniques; fiber end; fully polarimetric optical time-domain reflectometer; linear induced circular birefringence distribution; mode coupling length; nondestructive measurement; optical fibre polarisation; optical fibre testing; polarization mode dispersion; polarization sensitive optical time domain reflectometer; spatial resolution; twist induced circular birefringence distribution; Birefringence; Measurement techniques; Monitoring; Optical coupling; Optical fiber cables; Optical fiber polarization; Optical sensors; Polarization mode dispersion; Spatial resolution; Time domain analysis;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE