Temperature dependence of PMD in optical fibres and cables

Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) is a major limitation to upgrade of existing optical fiber plant with higher capacity equipment. This paper presents results of experiments aimed at establishing dependence of PMD with temperature and aging, primarily for tight-buffered fibres used in indoor cables and certain optical ground wires (OPGW). Fibres in standard 0.9 mm tight buffers and cables with such fibres showed large increase of PMD at low temperatures. The OPGW has, however exhibited good stability of PMD during temperature cycling between -40/spl deg/C and +85/spl deg/C and accelerated aging at +85/spl deg/C.