Polarization mode dispersion measurement in elliptical core single-mode fibers by a spatial technique

Polarization mode dispersion in elliptical core single-mode fibers has been measured by a spatial technique based on a visibility maximum position measurement in an interferometer. Using the technique, wavelength dependence of the modal dispersion has been measured by varying optical source wavelength between 821 and 904 nm. As a result, contribution of geometrical and strain birefringences on the modal dispersion has been evaluated, and normalized frequency dependence of the modal dispersion has been clarified. Moreover, the dispersion compensation effect has been observed by interchanging the fast and slow modes of two fibers at a splice point. The experimental results reveal that the spatial technique is very useful for polarization mode dispersion measurement.