Abstract: A method and device for reducing the distortion of optical pulses caused by the polarization mode dispersion in optical communication systems is provided. When an optical pulse having any polarization is transmitted through an optical communication system, which is optically anisotropic, at least in sections, the optical pulse may become distorted due to the different velocities of the various polarization components. This distortion of the optical pulses may reduces the maximum transmission rate of the system. A method is provided for functioning in response to the detected transmission quality of the communication system where a polarization-controlling device for setting the polarization of the optical pulse is driven in such a way that the transmission quality is maximized. An optical communication system, including an optical transmission medium, involves a device for determining the transmission quality of the communication system, a regulating device, and a polarization-controlling device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical communications link having at least one optical fiber, in particular for communications transmission, where the optical fiber is repeatedly bent. The fiber sections having a right-hand and left-hand curvature are distributed in such a way over the communications link that the average torsion of the fiber is approximately zero. The communications link in accordance with the present invention is compact, flexible, and variable in length. In addition, it reduces the sensitivity of the polarization state of the optical signal to changes in the form of the communications link.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sensor for detecting changes in the distance between a first and a second location, having at, least one substantially helically coiled optical fiber, which is able to be mechanically connected to at least one of the locations, and having a light transmitter and a detecting device for optical signals, the detecting device being able to generate an output signal, which is dependent upon the polarization state of the optical signal transmitted via the optical fiber.

Abstract: To simplify the adaptation of a polarization that fluctuates over time to a predefined polarization state, a device for converting the polarization of light is proposed, which can be manufactured cost-effectively and operated with minimal outlay. For this, the device has an input (E) for receiving light having any polarization PE at all, as well as an output (A) for emitting light having a predefined polarization PA. A device (PBS) splits the received light into variably polarized light components, one of the light components propagating through a device (P1, P2) for adjusting the polarization. The light components are again coupled in a device (C), the coupling being adjustable for outputting light with a maximum output intensity, and this light being able to be output with the predefined polarization PA at the output (A). In this manner, it is only necessary to control one single physical parameter in the form of the coupling of the light components to optimize the device according to the present invention.

Abstract: A double-beam interferometer for electromagnetic radiation and a method for the compensation of dispersion or increase in the spectral resolution of such an interferometer. Using a polarizer, which is brought into the optical radiation path, a defined polarization state P½0 is produced for the electromagnetic partial waves flowing into the arms of the interferometer. This polarization state is wavelength-independent and can vary for both partial beams. Optical elements modify the polarization state P½0 of the electromagnetic partial waves as a function of wavelength &lgr; and each spectral component &lgr;i is coded with a polarization P½ (&lgr;i). An analyzer, fitted to the output of the interferometer, transmits an adjustable polarization state Pdet, whereby an additional wavelength-dependent phase difference &ggr;(&lgr;) occurs between the partial waves of the spectral components.

Abstract: A telecommunication system having frequency-dividing optical components where light pulses having different frequencies are coupled out of a optical fiber by fiber grating and/or photonic crystals and imaged by focusing elements outside of the optical fiber. The fiber grating for different frequencies can be used in a single period or in different periods disposed one after the other. The photonic crystals can be used at the optical fiber extremity or etched in a channel or trench in a glass fiber. Delay elements are added to ensure that different frequency light pulses are imaged simultaneously in a given and desired time relation as required for further parallel processing.