A novel technique is developed to detect any principal axis misalignment of polarization preserving fiber. The technique is based on measurement of reflect-returned power for the fiber oputput endface that is depolarized by the birefringence of the fiber. It is confirmed theoretically and experimentally that principal axis alignments of 0 and 45° can be successfully made only by minimizing and maximizing the monitoring level, respectively. On the basis of the alignment method, a fusion splicing technique is proposed for polarization preserving fibers. It is confirmed theoretically and experimentally that all principal axes alignment, core axis alignment, and splices loss estimations can be simply and sequentially attained with the present technique. Using the technique, ±0.5° angular alignment resolution and ±0.05-dB splice loss estimation accuracy are satisfactorily achieved.

© 1985 Optical Society of America

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article level metrics are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription