MEASUREMENT OF POLARIZATION MODE DISPERSION AND MODAL BIREFRINGENCE IN HIGHLY BIREFRINGENT FIBERS BY MEANS OF ELECTRONICALLY SCANNED SHEARING-TYPE INTERFEROMETRY

A method for measuring modal birefringence and polarization mode dispersion in highly birefringent fibers is presented. It employs a white-light interference phenomenon arising between polarization modes as a result of mode coupling induced by a pointlike lateral force applied in approximately one half the length of the tested fiber. This permits the use of a Wollaston prism without a delay line as an analyzing interferometer. Results of measurements of modal birefringence and polarization mode dispersion at lambda0 = 826 nm are reported for four commercially available fibers: the York Bow-Tie, the Fujikura Panda, the Andrew E-type, and the Andrew D-type.