QUEBEC, March 23 – EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. announced the release of its latest generation of instruments for measuring polarization-dependent loss, the IQ-5100B Polarization Scrambler and IQ-3400B PDL Meter.
    PDL is the difference between the maximum and minimum values of loss due to the variation in polarization states of light passing through a device. Optical components like couplers, fixed attenuators and isolators have to comply with stringent PDL specifications that are checked on the production floor. Both test instruments were recently on display at OFC 2001 in Anaheim, CA.
    "PDL is a critical parameter in today's networks," said Mario Larose, vice president of Marketing at EXFO. "The IQ-5100B Polarization Scrambler and IQ-3400B PDL Meter can be combined to produce a reliable, easy-to-use PDL test solution for optical component manufacturers."