title: Least-squares analysis of the Mueller matrix.
abstract: In a single-mode fiber excited by light with a fixed polarization state, the output polarizations obtained at two different optical frequencies are related by a Mueller matrix. We examine least-squares procedures for estimating this matrix from repeated measurements of the output Stokes vector for a random set of input polarization states. We then apply these methods to the determination of polarization mode dispersion and polarization-dependent loss in an optical fiber. We find that a relatively simple formalism leads to results that are comparable with those of far more involved techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada. mareimer@sympatico.ca
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reimer
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yevick