Tunable polarization mode dispersion compensation using multi-layered reflector

Abstract

We describe a novel approach for tunable polarization mode dispersion (PMD) compensation using multi-layered thin-film dielectric reflectors. This design can compensate for both the first-order PMD and the second-order PMD in ultrahigh speed optical fiber communication systems. Built-in cavity layers constitute optical resonators localizing electromagnetic energy at a specific frequency in the cavity region and therefore generating dispersive reflection. The two principal states of polarization in this system, TE and TM modes, demonstrate different dispersion responses for oblique incidences, which can be readily tuned to offset the PMD accumulated in fiber links. Various schemes of dispersion generation could be designed using single-cavity cascading or with coupled multiple-cavity resonator structures. In particular, these cavity resonators can be designed in a specific way to create high dispersion contrast between the two polarizations over a broad bandwidth, while maintaining very low loss, thanks to its complete reflective nature. Furthermore, this technique also benefit from its fast and flexible angular tuning to accomplish the adaptiveness in PMD compensation.

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