Bilateral Comparison on Polarization Mode Dispersion between KRISS and NIST

Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) is one of the major parameters used to characterize optical fiber and fiber optic components. It has to be accurately measured and controlled or mitigated to ensure optical signal transmission with modulation rates of more than 10 Gbps for conventional single mode fiber [1]. Demand for PMD references has been gradually increasing as the instruments of PMD measurement have been widely supplied to manufacturers of fiber optic cable and components and research laboratories in order to enhance reliability of measurement results. KRISS has been establishing a PMD measurement standard as a national metrology institute (NMI) in Korea to meet this demand [2]. However, it is generally hard to verify whether our PMD value is correct until we directly compare it with other NMIs. Therefore, we coordinated a bilateral comparison on PMD between KRISS and NIST, who pioneered to establish PMD measurement standards [3].