Study of Electromagnetic Wave Polarization and Its Applications in Optical Communication Systems
Keywords:
Polarization; optical communication; polarization-division multiplexing (PDM); nonlinear Fourier transform (NFT); silicon photonics; graphene photonics; PMD; high-capacity transmission.Abstract
The rapid increase in data traffic and the demand for high transmission efficiency have intensified the need for effective polarization management in modern optical communication systems. Polarization of electromagnetic waves is influenced by birefringence and polarization mode dispersion (PMD), yet it also serves as an essential resource for enhancing system capacity through techniques such as polarization-division multiplexing (PDM) and dual-polarization transmission. This study employs a systematic literature review of reputable publications from the past decade, selected based on topical relevance, quantitative data availability, mathematical modeling, and experimental validation.
The analysis of five key studies demonstrates that polarization control plays a fundamental role in improving optical transmission performance. Dual-polarization nonlinear Fourier transform (NFT) techniques have shown superior efficiency in mitigating nonlinear impairments, while graphene-based photonic devices offer strong polarization selectivity for high-speed modulation. Furthermore, advancements in silicon photonics enable precise polarization control through waveguide engineering, and integrated MDM–PDM architectures contribute to increased channel capacity with minimal crosstalk. The implementation of PDM-MZM structures also improves signal stability in both fiber and hybrid SMF–FSO links, supporting high-order modulation formats essential for 5G and 6G networks.
Overall, the findings indicate that the integration of polarization management, advanced photonic materials, and digital signal processing forms a critical foundation for future high-capacity, low-distortion optical communication systems.
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