Polarization mode dispersion of a submarine cable containing 12 fibers

The development of optical fiber amplifiers has spurred study of the 1R (re shaping) repeating transmission method for transmission distances over 1000 km. As transmission distances become longer, there is the possibility that polarization mode dispersion and chromatic dispersion will limit transmiss ion distances. In particular, polarization mode dispersion can be altered b y the ambient temperature, cable structure, and situation of installation. The effects of such factors with respect to the polarization mode dispersio n in submarine optical fiber cables have not been sufficiently clarified. T herefore, in this article, the authors investigate the polarization mode di spersion by using a submarine optical fiber cable with 12 fibers roughly 10 km in length to clarify the characteristics of a submarine optical fiber c able for application in long-distance transmission systems with optical fib er amplifiers. The results show that there is a correlation between the cha nges in the polarization mode dispersion after each cable manufacturing pro cess and the change in the strain, as well as accompanying changes in later al force. Finally, the temperature dependence (from 5 degrees C to 30 degre es C) of the polarization mode dispersion is also described. (C) 2000 Scrip ta Technica.