Measuring the polarization characteristics of birefringent optical fibers using an interference technique

A simple method based on the interference of coherently excited modes is proposed for measuring the orientations of birefringence axes and determining the level of polarized mode excitation in single-mode birefringent fibers. The exact determination of these characteristics is achieved by introducing the dimensionless coefficients of modulation and transmission dependent on the analyzer rotation angle. The proposed technique, in contrast to the conventional methods, does not require the use of special excitation conditions at the fiber entrance. (C) 2004 MAIK "Nauka / Interperiodica".