Statistical correlation between first and second-order PMD

We investigate the statistical correlation between first- and second-order polarization mode dispersion (PMD) effects, which is important for PMD mitigation. The theoretical results are compared to numerical simulations and experimental data from a real high-PMD fiber. A new dependence between first- and second-order PMD is found. We show that the root mean square (RMS) value of the second-order PMD component, perpendicular to the PMD vector, increases with the length of the PMD vector.