COMBINED EFFECTS OF POLARIZATION MODE DISPERSION AND POLARIZATION-DEPENDENT LOSSES IN OPTICAL FIBERS

A general description of the effects of combined polarization mode dis persion (PMD) and polarization dependent losses (PDL) in single-mode o ptical fiber networks is presented. It generalizes the concept of prin cipal polarization states and its associated dynamical equation to the case where PDL is significant. The dynamical equation for the PDL vec tor <(Gamma)over right arrow> defined as the least attenuated polariza tion state, is also derived. In the presence of both PMD and PDL, the two principal polarization states are not orthogonal, leading to inter ferences producing anomalously large pulse spreading. This may affect the transmission capacity of the optical network. Our description also shows that the global attenuation and PDL of the fiber becomes a stat istical quantity, varying with the wavelength. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scien ce B.V.