POLARIZATION PROPERTIES OF RAYLEIGH BACKSCATTERING IN SINGLE-MODE FIBERS

The state and degree of polarization (SOP, DOP) of Rayleigh backscatte red light in low birefringent optical fibers was calculated using Stok es calculus. It was found that the SOP of Rayleigh backscattered light in low birefringent fiber is constant, viz. the same as the SOP of th e incoming light. The DOP of Rayleigh backscattered light is one-third of the DOP of the incoming light, and not just anywhere between 0 and 100% as often mentioned in the literature. The experimental results a gree with the calculations.