Impact of chromatic dispersion on the system limitation due to polarization mode dispersion

The impact of chromatic dispersion on the system limitation due to polarization mode dispersion (PMD) is investigated through Monte Carlo simulations. The waveplate model is used to realistically simulate the variation of PMD with frequency. It is shown that the effects of higher order PMD are compounded in the presence of chromatic dispersion. This can lead to a reduction in the PMD limit for large values of chromatic dispersion. However, it does not lead to a reduction in the PMD limit for the moderate levels of chromatic dispersion that would be encountered in most systems.