Polarization effects in next generation high capacity optical fiber systems

The project will be focused on linear and nonlinear polarization effects in fibers and fiber links, with special regards to novel high bit-rate multi-level transmission formats. Both the impairments induced by polarization effects on fiber links and the exploitation of such effects in novel devices for all-optical signal processing will be addressed. More in detail, the main activities are listed below:
1. Design and implementation of novel techniques for the distributed characterization of linear and nonlinear effects in fiber links. These techniques will either be based on Rayleigh scattering, or will exploit Brillouin scattering through a suitable probe signal; they will enable the analysis of nonlinear polarization interactions among WDM channels and the consequent impairment.
2. Development of theoretical models for the accurate description of linear and nonlinear effects in optical fibers. The models will correctly account for PMD, PDL, four wave mixing (FWM), Raman and Brillouin scattering. Furthermore, they will be able to deal with multi-wavelength, possibly counter-propagating signals.
3.Numerical and theoretical analysis of polarization instabilities in WDM systems, for bitrates higher than 10 Gb/s.
4.Analysis of polarization properties in legacy optical fiber links, in order to assess their ability to carry novel high bit-rate multi-level transmission formats.
Analysis and design of novel devices for all-optical signal processing, based on nonlinear polarization effects. In particular, the project will consider nonlinear polarizers, based on Raman-assisted FWM processes.