Birefringence in single-mode optical fiber due to elliptical core deformation and stress anisotropy

A formula for the difference between propagation constants of two polarization modes caused by elliptical core deformation and stress anisotropy is given for single-mode optical fibers. Birefringence in circular and elliptical core fibers subject to an externally applied uniaxial pressure are measured. Birefringence caused by elliptical core deformation and stress anisotropy are experimentally separated by measuring their wavelength dependences. A value of3.36 times 10^{-10}cm²/gram weight (gw) (=3.43 times 10^{-12}m²/N) is obtained for the stress-optical constant of silica fibers. Residual stress corresponding to external pressure of 240 gw/cm is observed for a fiber with 0.35 core ellipticity.