Effect of cabling on polarization mode dispersion in optical fiber ribbon cables

This paper theoretically and experimentally investigates an effect of cabling on polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in ribbon fibers helically stranded in optical fiber ribbon cables aimed at designing low PMD ribbon cables. Based on the birefringence model focused on the change in the birefringence when ribbon fibers are cabled, the helical pitch of optical fiber ribbon cables is designed to minimize the maximum PMD in the cables. A low PMD characteristic is confirmed in optical fiber ribbon cable with approximately the optimal helical pitch.