Polarization dispersion measurement on twisted single-mode optical fibers

A new method for measuring polarization dispersion between two eigen polarization modes is presented. It utilizes the measured phase shift corresponding to birefringence difference between two adjacent wavelengths. This method makes it possible to measure small polarization dispersion by using a short test piece even when eigen polarization modes are elliptically polarized. A polarization dispersion of 0.4 ps/km in twisted single-mode fibers can be measured in an approximately 4-m-long fiber by using 1.152- and 1.161-μm lines in a He-Ne laser. Experimental data that polarization dispersion decreases with an increase in fiber twist ate in very close agreement with theoretical results.