Some enabling techniques for polarization mode dispersion compensation

• Published in: Journal of lightwave technology Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 1198 - 1210
• Main Authors: Sandel, D., Mirvoda, V., Bhandare, S., Wust, F., Noe, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.05.2003; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Channels; Compensation; Costs; Exact sciences and technology; Falling; Fluid flow; Inverse problems; Optical fiber communication; Optical fiber dispersion; Optical fiber polarization; Optical receivers; Polarization; Polarization mode dispersion; Signal detection; Slopes; Spectral analysis; Startups; Systems, networks and services of telecommunications; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Transmission and modulation (techniques and equipments); Wavelength division multiplexing; Harmonic; Rectifier; Wavelength division multiplexing; Differentiator; Jamming; Polarization mode dispersion; Implementation; Stokes parameter; Arrival time; Wave plate; First order; Compensator; Optical fiber communication; Optical dispersion compensation; Signal detection; Group delay; High rate transmission
• ISSN: 0733-8724; 1558-2213
• DOI: 10.1109/JLT.2003.811563

Progress toward 40-Gb/s polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) compensation is presented in several areas. A single-waveplate polarization scrambler that generates Stokes' parameters with just three harmonics has been realized. Together with an arrival-time detection scheme, it allows the detection of about 1 ps of PMD within 2.4 /spl mu/s in a 40-Gb/s nonreturn-to-zero transmission setup. A scrambler that operates independent of its input polarization has also been realized. Both scramblers can be shared among a number of wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) channels for which PMD is to be detected. Furthermore, an inverse scattering technique has been implemented to determine differential group-delay profiles of an improved distributed PMD compensator in X-cut, Y-propagation LiNbO/sub 3/. In this context, the most common kind of higher order PMD is identified, which typically persists after compensation of first-order PMD. In a fiber link with polarization scrambling, it is shown to be measurable in a most efficient manner by comparing the rising and falling slopes of the detected signal using two oppositely poled one-way rectifiers placed at the output of a differentiator.