2ND-ORDER POLARIZATION MODE DISPERSION - IMPACT ON ANALOG AND DIGITALTRANSMISSIONS

Second-order polarization mode dispersion (PMD) is a major limitation to the transmission capabilities of analog systems and of high bit rat e digital systems. Basically, the effect of second-order PMD is the sa me as that of chromatic dispersion. However, like all polarization eff ects in standard single mode fibers, the effects of second-order PMD a re stochastic, due to the random polarization mode coupling that occur s in such fibers, Bence, the effects of second-order PMD fluctuate wit h time. The purpose of this article is to present a description of the phenomenon and of its effects on analog and digital signals, to propo se definitions, to discuss some orders of magnitudes and to present so me numerical simulations and experimental results. Some general unders tanding of the phenomena of first-order PMD are assumed. The more math ematical developments are summarized in the Appendixes.