Full characterization of polarization-mode dispersion with random-mode coupling in single-mode optical fibers

Theoretical expression has been derived for polarization-mode dispersion with random-mode coupling in optical fiber by simple means. The square-root dependence of polarization-mode dispersion not only on a fiber length but on a mean-coupling length has been experimentally verified for the first time. This characterization became possible only by the use of highly birefringent polarization-maintaining fiber and introduction of fusion splices with desired coupling lengths.>