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Polarization Extinction Ratio (PER) is one of the key parameters for Polarization Maintaining Fiber (PMF) connector. Based on our previous studies, the bending radius of fiber greater than 1.5 cm will not affect the insertion loss of PMF [1]. Moreover, the measured PER of Panda PMF with LC/UPC connectors is more stable when that PMF is coiled around a hot rod with a minimum of 3-cm in diameter at 75°C temperature [2]. Hence, the hot rod with less constrained 6-cm in diameter at constant 75°C was selected for this PER measurement. Two PER setups were verified and compared for measuring LC/UPC PMF connectors. The Polarized Laser Source (PLS) at 1550 nm wavelength and PER meter from OZ Optics were used in both setups, in which the measured connector was connected to PLS at 0° angle while the other end was connected to PER meter. In order to qualify our setups, the percentage of Repeatability and Reproducibility (%R&R) were tested and calculated. In each setup, the PER measurement was repeated 3 trials by 3 appraisers using 10 LC/UPC PMF connectors (5 LC/UPC PMF patchcords with 3.5±0.5 meters in length) in random order. The 1st setup, PMF was coiled at a larger 20-cm diameter for 3 to 5 loops and left in room temperature during the test. The 2nd setup, PMF was coiled around a hot rod at constant 75°C with 6-cm diameter for 8 to 10 loops for at least 5 minutes before testing. There are 3 ranges of %R&R acceptation guide line

This paper shows the effect of bending radius and bending location on Insertion Loss (IL) in Single Mode Fibers (SMFs) and Polarization Maintaining Fibers (PMFs). Five FC/UPC PMF patchcords were tested for the effect of bending radius on IL, by being coiled from 0 (as reference) to 5 loops at bending radii of 7.5 mm to 17.5 mm in a step of 2.5 mm. Based on the significant IL changes at 7.5-mm radius and no change starting at 15-mm radius, these two radii were chosen for the study of bending location. Fifteen patchcords (5 FC/UPC PMF, 5 LC/UPC PMF and 5 LC/UPC SMF) were coiled for 1 full loop located at 20 cm to 100 cm in a step of 10 cm. At 7.5-mm radius, PMFs reveal their major IL variations strongly depending on bending location, while SMFs have minor variations. In contrast, no IL variations are observed at 15-mm radius for both PMFs and SMFs. This radius was then selected for the final study on a number of coils. All 15 patchcords were coiled up to 15 loops at 15-mm radius. The results exhibit insignificant IL increase for PMFs, but a small increase proportional to the number of coils for SMFs. Consequently, the benefit of these IL studies will validate the proper testing conditions for SMF and PMF patchcords, especially in PMFs, where the measurement of Polarization Extinction Ratio is correlated with IL.

This paper reports the temperature dependency of Polarization Extinction Ratio (PER) in Polarization Maintaining Fiber (PMF) with LC/UPC connectors. Ten LC/UPC PMF patchcords were PER measured under 3 testing conditions: A, B and C. Test A, patchcords were coiled on hot plate for 5 loops with 3-cm inner diameter and 4-cm outer diameter. The hot plate's temperature was increased from 25°C to 75°C and decreased back to 25°C at a step of 5°C. Test B, patchcords were coiled around hot rod with 3-cm in diameter for 5 loops. The hot rod's temperature was set in the same manner as Test A between 25°C to 100°C. In Test C, patchcords were uncoiled and left at room temperature while being PER measured for 15 minutes. From the sampled PER plots, small variations occur mainly at temperature transitions. The Standard Deviations (SDs) of PER confirm that their averages in Test A and B are nearly the same (0.30 – 0.35), but larger than the average SDs in Test C (0.17 and 0.21). However, when only the PERs below 35 dB (according to OZ Optics ER-100-IR specification) at 75°C in Test A and B are computed, their average SDs reduce to 0.08 and 0.06 respectively. Hence, the hot rod at constant 75°C is chosen for future PER measurement because of its stable results in shortest time and simplified setup.