Abstract
In optical fiber transmission systems, polarization mode dispersion (PMD), represents a severe source of degradation as the bit rate increases. In this paper, we review PMD compensation techniques performed in optical domain. We also report our experimental results on PMD compensation by distributing linear polarizers along the transmission line. Polarizers are used as PMD compensator elements with only 1 degree-of-freedom (DOF) which result in simple configuration and fast response. Even though the polarizers do not compensate 1 st-order PMD perfectly, Distributed 4 polarizers outperformed a 2-DOF polarizer-based PMD compensator placed at the optical receiver front-end.
