Automatic matrix-based analysis method for extraction of optical fiber parameters from polarimetric optical time domain reflectometry data

Abstract

Interpretation of polarimetric optical time domain reflectometry (POTDR) data can be time consuming due to the complicated dependence of the state of polarization evolution on the optical fiber parameters. In this paper, a fully automatic matrix-based analysis method is presented which can extract the linear birefringence and external twist rate from relative backscattered state of polarization data, without error propagation. Practical measurements on fiber samples demonstrate the capability of the technique.