PXA-1000 Distributed Polarization Crosstalk Analyzer for PM Fiber and Birefringent Waveguides

The Luna PXA-1000 Distributed Polarization Crosstalk (X-Talk) Analyzer measures distributed polarization cross-coupling in highly birefringent materials such as polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber and birefringent waveguides. The manufacturer has discontinued the product and lists the ERM-202 Polarization Extinction Ratio Meter as a similar product.

Measurement principle

The instrument is based on an enhanced white light interferometer. Its design removes the strong zero-order interference and reduces the multi-coupling interference found in traditional white light interferometers. Both effects can cause "ghost" peaks in the measured signal. With the ghost peaks removed, the PXA-1000 can identify the magnitude and location of actual crosstalk peaks without ambiguity, which gives higher measurement sensitivity, dynamic range and spatial measurement accuracy.

Uses

The analyzer measures space-resolved stress in PM fiber by analyzing stress-induced polarization crosstalk. This makes it possible to locate imperfections or areas of local stress inside PM fiber coils, including stress from the winding process. In Y-branch waveguides it can characterize the alignment of pigtail fibers and the contributions to the polarization extinction ratio (PER) from features inside the waveguide. Applications include characterization of PM fiber, PM fiber coils and integrated optic circuits (IOCs) for fiber optic gyroscopes.