Nonlinear polarization evolution induced by cross-phase modulation and its impact on transmission systems

We experimentally investigate nonlinear polarization evolution induced by cross phase modulation in optical fiber. We demonstrate both the CW behavior of this effect and how it can cause time dependent depolarization of interacting WDM channels. We then quantify the significant performance degradation and power margin reduction in a polarization multiplexed WDM transmission system utilizing polarization sensitive receiving.