Polarization mode dispersion in single mode optical fibers due to core-ellipticity

The variation of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) with V-parameter in single mode optical fibers due to core-ellipticity is studied by performing numerical simulations taking into account both geometrical and thermal-stress-induced birefringences as well as the variation of fiber refractive indices with wavelength. Simple empirical relations are given for calculating the mean PMD for any value of core-ellipticity and V-parameter of a standard single mode fiber. It is observed that the mean PMD saturates for V ≳ 1.8 leading to very small second order PMD.