Agilent Technologies 86038B User Manual page 330

Depolarization rate
The depolarization rate, D, quantifies the absolute value of the
differential change of the normalized Polarization mode
dispersion (PMD) vector , with rotational frequency change
n
w
, expressed in [s].
D=| / |
n
Note: The depolarization rate is a measure of how fast the PMD
vector changes direction with the rotational frequency of the
optical wave (or with the wavelength).
Differential group delay (DGD) repeatability
The agreement of repeated measurements of "Differential group
delay (DGD)" on a stable test device and under constant
environmental conditions, expressed as:
@
2 StDev {DGD ()}.
i i
DGD() denotes the DGD at any wavelength and StDev denotes
the standard deviation over repetitions i.
Conditions: Stable setup (without cable movement or re-
connections).
Measurement: see
"Differential group delay (DGD)"
uncertainty.
Differential group delay (DGD)
The dependence of the "Group delay (GD)" at a fixed
wavelength resulting from applying all possible polarization
states, expressed as the difference between the maximum and
the minimum group delay value.
Differential group delay (DGD) uncertainty
Specifies the maximum difference between measured and actual
"Differential group delay (DGD)" .
Conditions: Measurement settings and operation mode as
specified.
Measurement: Using a standard SM fiber with nominally 0 ps
DGD and various PM fibers with specified DGD over the
specified wavelength range.
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Agilent 86038B Photonic Dispersion and Loss Analyzer, Second Edition