Glossary
Tunable Laser Source
83
p
Abbreviation for pico, which indicates 10
-12
units
P
Power
PC
In optical schematics, used to designate a polarization
controller.
PCS
Plastic-clad silica (fiber)
PDCR
Polarization dependent coupling ratio
PDEL
Polarization dependent excess loss
PDG
Polarization dependent gain
PDL
Polarization dependent loss
peak wavelength
The wavelength at which the optical power of a source is at
maximum.
PMF
Polarization maintaining fiber
Poincaré sphere
A three-dimensional graphical representation of the state of
polarization of a light beam.
polarization
controller
Instrument used to control the polarization state of the light.
This type of equipment can produce different polarization
states of the input light.
polarization
dependent loss
A transmission loss that varies with input polarization state.
Normally defined as
T
max
(dB) - T
min
(dB)
polarization mode
dispersion (PMD)
Pulse spreading in a singlemode fiber that arises on account
of the different group velocities associated with each of the
two principal states of polarization of the fiber.
polarizer
Component used to polarize light.
POTDR
Polarization OTDR
principal states of
polarization (PSP)
The two generally orthogonal states of polarization of a
monochromatic light beam launched into a fiber (input PSP)
that will propagate through the fiber without spreading or
distortion. The SOP of this light beam as it exits the fiber will
be in one of two, generally orthogonal, output PSPs. In
general, the output PSPs are not the same as the input PSPs,
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