Keysight N778 C Series - Page 50

50 Keysight N778xC Series Polarization Instruments User’s Guide
3 Definition of Terms
Second Order PMD
The second-order PMD, S, quantifies the magnitude of the differential
change of the Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) vector, with angular
optical frequency, ω, expressed in [ps
2
],
Polarization-Dependent Chromatic Dispersion (PCD)
The PCD, quantifies the differential change of the magnitude of the
Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) vector, with angular optical frequency,
ω, expressed in [ps
2
],
Depolarization Rate
The depolarization rate, d, quantifies the absolute value of the differential
change of the normalized Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) vector, with
angular optical frequency, ω, weighted with the DGD (expressed in [s
2
]).
NOTE
Second-order PMD can be expressed in [ps/nm] at a wavelength of
1550 nm by multiplying the [ps
2
] value with the factor 0.784 nm/ps.
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).