Distributed group birefringence measurement in a polarization-maintaining fiber using optical frequency-domain reflectometry

We propose to use optical frequency-domain reflectometry to measure distributed group birefringence along a section of polarization-maintaining fiber. Frequency dependence of the propagation constant difference along the fiber between the fast and slow modes can be determined. The scanning frequency bandwidth has influences on the measurement of the phase modal birefringence and beat length. Besides phase modal birefringence and beat length can be measured, distributed group birefringence along the fiber is obtained with a spatial resolution of 7.8 cm.