Low-coherence interferometry for measuring polarization mode dispersion

An interferometric setup for measuring Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) setup was tested. Using a low-coherence technique with a Michelson interferometer, it was possible to measure values of PMD from detected Differential Group Delay (DGD) values in two reels. The low-coherence source bounds the minimum value of DGD detected to 0.13 ps, leading to a minimum value detected around 0.14 ps. The mean value of PMD measured over a period of several days for one reel was 0.0405plusmn0.0007 ps/km
^1/2
, and 0.0463plusmn0.0044 ps/km
^1/2
for the other. Stochastic and random behavior of PMD was observed.