PMD compensation up to second order by tracking the principle states of polarization using a two-section compensator

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of an optical polarization mode dispersion compensator comprised of two adjustable delay sections with a po larization controller in between. Not only the differential group delay of the fiber but also the rotation of the principle states of polarization wit hin a bandwidth can be compensated by tracking the trajectory of the fiber output principle states of polarization around the carrier frequency. The t heoretical analysis of the two-section compensator shows how to adjust its parameters. Based on numerical simulations applying a 10 Gbit/s NRZ transmi ssion, we show the enlarged bandwidth of compensation in comparison to a si mple first-order compensator. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.