Increase in the correlation length of nonmonochromatic radiation during propagation in a single-mode optical fiber containing random inhomogeneities and the influence of this increase on the operation of a fiber ring interferometer

An analysis is made of the conditions under which the coupling of orthogonal polarization modes at random inhomogeneities in single-mode optical fibers leads to an increase in the correlation length of a source of nonmonochromatic radiation. It is shown that when long-base fiber ring interferometers with a single-mode fiber ring system possessing weak linear birefringence are used, the correlation length of the nonmonochromatic radiation at the interferometer exit is increased, which means that the interference pattern can have satisfactory visibility even when there is an appreciable difference between the interferometer arms as a result of the Sagnac effect due to the Earth’s rotation. The calculations were made by mathematical modeling of random inhomogeneities in the fiber. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 69, 140–143 (July 1999)