Pressure dependence of polarization mode dispersion in HiBi fibers

Abstract
Pressure effects in polarization maintaining fibers are investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Interferometric measurements of the propagation times and polarization mode dispersion as a function of hydrostatic pressure over the range 0 to 40 MPa are presented. The finite-element method is used to calculate the pressure-induced variations of the asymmetrical stress in the core. It is observed and comprehensively explained that the birefringence increases with external applied hydrostatic pressure.