METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING OPTICAL FIBERS WHICH EXHIBIT ELEVATED LEVELS OF POLARIZATION MODE DISPERSION

摘要

Methods for identifying optical fibers which exhibit elevated levels of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) are provided. The methods employ difference traces obtained from optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) measurements. The presence of a cyclical patterned in such a difference trace has been found to be indicative of a fiber having an elevated level of PMD.