Optical fibers are central to today's telecommunication and sensor technologies, and polarization behavior within these fibers has a profound impact on their performance. This work provides the first definitive treatment of polarization phenomena, and delivers a wealth of analytical and practical knowledge that will be invaluable to engineers seeking to optimize and advance optical fiber performance in these industries.This exhaustively detailed resource explores the various polarization effects, their impact on communications and sensing systems, and the latest techniques to mitigate them. It provides full details on polarization mode dispersion (PMD) and other effects that influence communications. Written by the field's foremost expert, this book will be welcomed by all engineers involved in the design and optimization of telecommunications and measurement-sensing systems.