Polarization-maintenance limits in polarization-maintaining fibers and measurements

Intrinsic, extrinsic, and measurement-related polarization-maintenance transmission performance limitations are determined on short fiber lengths of hybrid-rectangular polarization-maintaining fibers and compared with previously reported limits. A direct polarization intensity extinction ratio -52.4+or-0.04 dB was obtained using automated measurement techniques. System measurement capability is limited by the lenses to -60 dB. Polarization-maintenance transmission limitations in the measurement polarizers and in cladding modes for short polarization-maintaining fibers were found to be negligible. New polarization-maintenance limits are presented to provide more precise measurement of the performance of short polarization-maintaining fibers.