Estimation of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) value in optical fibre during lightning strokes

Abstract

The paper presents the approximate estimation of the PMD in an optical fibre, that occurs as a consequence of the electromagnetic field of a lightning stroke to earth in the vicinity of the fibre cable. The estimation is based on an analogy with the calculation of PMD in a fibre with eccentricity. A small rotation of the polarization plane of light in a fibre under the influence of a lightning field causes the same distribution of orthogonal modes to the main axis as a small eccentricity. Estimation can be made by this method if rotation is less than 20 grad.