Method and apparatus for high resolution measurement of very low levels of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in single mode optical fibers and for calibration of PMD measuring instruments

摘要

A method and apparatus for measuring Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) of a single mode optic fiber by providing a PMD measuring instrument with a light source. Light is transmitted serially through the optic fiber being tested and an artefact with a known, stable PMD value. The artefact biases the total PMD measured by the instrument away from zero. The PMD of the optic fiber may then be determined by data reduction of the total measured PMD. The method may also be used to calibrate a PMD instrument.