A novel technique for reducing polarization noise in optical-time domain reflectometers for single-mode fibers

A novel technique is proposed for reducing polarization noise of backscattering in ordinary single-mode fibers. The technique is based on the depolarization of light due to propagation in highly birefringent polarization-holding fiber. Performance of the technique is examined theoretically and experimentally. The experimental results show the usefulness of the technique for an optical-time domain reflectometer.