We describe a cost effective scheme to automatically separate two polarization channels in a polarization division multiplexing (PDM) system, without having to modify the existing transmitter or receiver electronics or software. We experimentally validate the concept by achieving an extinction ratio of more than 28-dB between two demultiplexed channels. Finally, we successfully demonstrate the PDM scheme in a 1.12-Tb/s (14x2x40-Gb/s) system over 62-km of transmission fiber.

We demonstrate a novel, automatic all-optical detection scheme in a polarizationdivision-multiplexing (PDM) system using power unbalanced transmission. Concept proof with >30-dB ER between orthogonal polarization states and 1.12-Tb/s (14×2×40-Gb/s) PDM transmission over 62-km link is demonstrated.