Daku, B. L.Wood, H. C.2024-07-152024-07-151996-04April 1996https://hdl.handle.net/10388/15813This thesis is based on the measurement of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in optical waveguides. The study takes as its starting point a recently reported measurement methodology known as the fixed polarizer wavelength scan technique. A new method of determining the level of PMD from a fixed polarizer wavelength scan is developed. The new method involves the use of Fourier transformation techniques to allow viewing of the PMD as an RMS spread in the time domain. Finally, waveguides from four different processes, modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD), over-jacketed MCVD, outside vapor deposition (OVD), and dispersion shifted OVD, all cabled in an industry standard loose tube type cable, are characterized for PMD performance. It is believed that this measurement technique will result in a low cost method for fiber and cable process optimization for this important form of dispersion.Thesis