Polarization mode dispersion in optical communication systems

Summary form only given. Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) has become one of the major barriers to achieving single-channel data rates of 10 Gbits/sec and beyond in optical communications systems. In this tutorial, the physical origins of birefringence and PMD are first reviewed. The effects of first-, second-, and higher-order PMD are next elucidated. Finally, PMD compensators and emulators are described. In particular, the need for physically realistic emulators in order to realistically evaluate the effects due to PMD and compensators is emphasized.