Analytical theory for PMD-compensation

Journal article, 2000

Exact analytical expressions are derived for the expected pulse broadening in a fiber-optic transmission system suffering from both first- and higher-order polarization mode dispersion (PMD). In particular, two different optical compensation techniques are studied: one based on launching the light in a principal states of polarization; and the other adding a birefringent element after the system to compensate the PMD to first order at one specific wavelength. The influence of each technique is quantified through simulation.