Distributed sensing of polarization mode coupling in high birefringence optical fibers using intense arbitrarily polarized coherent light

A polarization diversity detection system for location of polarization mode coupling has been studied both theoretically and experimentally for use with high birefringence fibers. Two complementary detectors are found to be sufficient for reliable operation of a pump-probe method based on the optical Kerr effect. Such a system is capable of locating any mode coupling point with arbitrary pump and probe polarization states when pump and probe polarization switching techniques are used to avoid signal fading. Experimental results are in good agreement with theory.