BIREFRINGENCE GENERATOR INCLUDING MULTI-LIQUID CRYSTAL OPTICAL FIBER AND A POLARIZATION MODE DISPERSION COMPENSATION APPARATUS USING THE SAME

摘要

PURPOSE: A birefringence generator having a multi-liquid-crystal optical fiber and a polarization mode dispersion compensation apparatus using the same are provided to generate desired birefringence by variably controlling an orientation of liquid crystal molecules. CONSTITUTION: A birefringence generator includes a multi-liquid-crystal optical fiber(22) and a voltage supply(23). The multi-liquid-crystal optical fiber includes a plurality of hollows at a core thereof and a liquid crystal, having a refraction ratio same to that of the core, injected in one row. The voltage supply applies a varying electric potential to the multi-liquid-crystal optical fiber such that an orientation of the liquid crystal is selectively changed. The plurality of hollows include a diameter which is greater than one of the liquid crystal and smaller than two liquid crystals.