Statistical determination of the length dependence of high-order polarization mode dispersion

We describe a method of characterizing high-order polarization mode dispersion (PMD). Using a new expansion to approximate the Jones matrix of a polarization-dispersive medium, we study the length dependence of high-order PMD to the fourth order. A simple rule for the asymptotic behavior of PMD for short and long fibers is found. It is also shown that, in long fibers (similar to 1000 km), at 40 Gbits/s the third- and fourth-order PMD may become comparable to the second-order PMD. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 060.0060, 060.2400, 060.4510.