a: ~ PACKARD Accurate, Automated Measurement of Differential Group Delay Dispersion Using Jones Matrix Eigenanalysis

optical, fiber optics, photonic subsystems, incoherent, photonics, lightwave components Polarization mode dispersion, which can limit the bandwidth of optical transmission links, can be described by a wavelength-dependent differential group delay (DGD) and DGD dispersion (DGDD), the wavelength derivative of DGD. For the first time, a technique capable of precise DGDD measurement is presented and its accuracy is demonstrated. A fast, automated system using a tunable laser and an accurate, real-time polarimeter is used to measure DGD and DGDD by eigenanalysis of Jones matrices measured at a series of discrete wavelengths. Measurements at 2-nm intervals of a device whose DGDD is a known function of wavelength yield values of DGDD which differ from theory by less than 13 fs/nm