POLARIZATION-MAINTENANCE LIMITS IN POLARIZATION-MAINTAINING FIBERS AND MEASUREMENTS

Intrinsic, extrinsic, and measurement-related polarization-maintenance transmission performance limitations are determined on short fiber lengths of hybrid-rectangular polarization-maintaining fibers and compared with previously reported limits. The lowest direct polarization intensity extinction ratio measurement to date is reported at −52.4 ± 0.04 dB using automated measurement techniques. System measurement capability is limited by the lenses to −60 dB. Polarization-maintenance transmission limitations in the measurement polarizers and in cladding modes for short polarization-maintaining fibers were found to be negligible. New polarization-maintenance limits are presented to provide more precise measurement of the performance of short polarization-maintaining fibers in fiber-optic sensors, integrated optics interconnections, fiber jumpers, and pigtails for diode lasers. Ultimately, the polarization-maintenance performance in a polarization-maintaining fiber is intrinsic to the fiber structure. © 1990 IEEE