Polarization Dispersion in a 147km Undersea Lightwave Cable

We describe measurements of polarization dispersion in a 147 km undersea lightwave cable at 1.56 micron. The wavelength dependence of the transmitted state of polarization was measured and interpreted in terms of the principle states description of polarization dispersion to determine the difference in the propagation delay time for the two principal waves and the wavelength dependence of the output principal states. Measured differential propagation delay times ranged between 2.5 micron and 10 psec among the four fibers tested. Significant wavelength dependence in both the principal states and the propagation delay times was observed over a 12 angstrom interval.