title: First- and second-order polarization mode dispersion generated by a two-stage emulator.
abstract: A two-stage polarization mode dispersion (PMD) emulator design consisting of two variable delay lines separated by a rotatable half-wave linear retarder is analyzed and shown to generate an adjustable amount of first- and second-order PMD without any higher orders. This two-stage PMD emulator configuration provides a simple easy-to-breadboard solution for second-order PMD emulators. When compared with PMD emulators based on birefringent crystals, this two-stage emulator is simpler to calibrate.
authors.affiliation: Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA. russell.chipman@optics.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Russell A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Chipman
authors.forename: Ravinderkumar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kinnera