Novel methods and apparatus used to measure high-speed state of polarization changes are developed. Knowledge of the effects of mechanical impacts on the state of polarization will benefit the reliability of optical communication systems. The impact creates a high-speed but continuous motion of the state of polarization over the Poincar´e sphere. The maximum speed at which the state of polarization changes due to an impact is shown to be higher than what has been reported previously. The investigation into the state of polarization changes led to the discovery of the repeatability and elasticity of state of polarization changes due to mechanical impacts. The repeatability and elasticity allow novel measurements of important polarization effects in optical fibres such as high-speed polarization mode dispersion and rotation vector measurements.

Novel methods and apparatus used to measure high-speed state of polarization changes are developed. Knowledge of the effects of mechanical impacts on the state of polarization will benefit the reliability of optical communication systems. The impact creates a high-speed but continuous motion of the state of polarization over the Poincar´e sphere. The maximum speed at which the state of polarization changes due to an impact is shown to be higher than what has been reported previously. The investigation into the state of polarization changes led to the discovery of the repeatability and elasticity of state of polarization changes due to mechanical impacts. The repeatability and elasticity allow novel measurements of important polarization effects in optical fibres such as high-speed polarization mode dispersion and rotation vector measurements.