Single-scan polarization-resolved heterodyne optical network analyzer

The novel technique presented here is able to accomplish in one scan what ordinarily requires the use of several measurement setups. With one scan, reflectivity transmissivity, group delay, chromatic dispersion, polarisation mode dispersion, and polarisation dependent loss can all be determined. The interferometric nature of the measurement enables the excellent dynamic range and wavelength resolution. The greater than 50 dB dynamic range exceeds the dynamic range available in many other measurement techniques, such as the modulation phase shift method.