Polarization fluctuations in a single-mode optical fiber

Polarization fluctuation characteristics of single-mode optical fiber output are examined theoretically and experimentally. A fiber model for studying these characteristics from the perspective of probability on the Poinare sphere is proposed. The relationship of the degree of polarization fluctuation to time and fiber length is shown theoretically. Measurements of submarine and underground cables and long-haul fibers up to 270 km in length generally support the proposed model.>