Polarization Mode

Dispersion
A new performance parameter
being discussed in ITU

Polarization Mode Dispersion

Perfect Fiber

fast

Normal Fiber

slow
PMD = delay time

Proposed Digital PMD Requirement

(for a 99.994% probability that the power penalty will be less
than 1 dB)

Bit Rate
(Gb/s)

Maximum
PMD
(ps)

PMD Coefficient
of Fiber for 400 km
Route (ps/ km )

2.5
10

40
10

2.0
0.5

PMD(ps/ km )
Lucent ITU
0.5 none

Orgen del PMD

Intrnsecas

geometra

compresin

Extrinsic

compresin

flexin

torsin

Spun Fiber Improves PMD and Stability

Lucent fiber is made with a patented UltraLow PMD process to reduce PMD and
improve stability by spinning the fiber
during draw.

Effect of Temperature on PMD

(average of 11 dispersion-shifted fibers of each type)

PMD (ps/

km )

competitors unspun fiber

0.16
0.12
0.08
Lucents spun fiber
0.04
0

23

55 - 40

55

55

- 40 23 - 40

23

Temperature ( o C)
Source: A. F. Judy,
IWCS November 1994