Chromatic and polarization mode dispersion measurement technique using phase-sensitive sideband detection

A new technique for measuring chromatic dispersion and PMD is presented that does not require a tunable laser. To demonstrate the technique, measurements on a fiber Bragg grating are compared to the modulation phase-shift method. The widely used modulation phase-shift technique for chromatic dispersion measurement utilizes a double sideband modulated signal and a swept carrier frequency to measure delay. The sidebands must have the same amplitude, and the change in delay and frequency must be accurately measured to obtain the dispersion. In the new technique, phase-sensitive detection is performed for each sideband individually.