Polarisation fluctuations in a 147 km undersea lightwave cable during installation

Abstract

We describe measurements of the time-dependent state of polarisation transmitted through a 147 km undersea cable during and after cable installation. The power spectrum of the Stokes parameters exhibits a lowpass characteristic with 0.24 Hz break frequency and –29dB/decade roll-off during installation at 2 knots (3.7km/h) in 2000 m of water. After installation these parameters drop to 0.04Hz and –24dB/ decade, respectively.