Title :
Analysis of a reset-free polarization controller for fast automatic polarization stabilization in fiber-optic transmission systems
Author_Institution :
AT&T Bell Labs., Holmdel, NJ, USA
fDate :
4/1/1994 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
We analyze the operation of a reset-free polarization controller comprising three endlessly rotatable wave plates: a first quarter-wave plate followed by a half-wave plate and a second quarter-wave plate, which is rotated synchronously with the first quarter-wave plate. We show that for any arbitrary angular offset between the two quarter-wave plates; the controller allows continuous, reset-free transformations from any varying general input state of polarization into any general output state. An integrated-optic realization of this scheme on z-propagation LiNbO3 offers control speeds that well exceed the speed of natural polarization fluctuations in standard single-mode fibers, thus allowing fast automatic polarization stabilization in fiber-optic transmission systems
Keywords :
integrated optics; lithium compounds; optical communication equipment; optical polarisers; LiNbO3; arbitrary angular offset; control speeds; endlessly rotatable wave plates; fast automatic polarization stabilization; fiber-optic transmission systems; general output state; half-wave plate; integrated-optic realization; natural polarization fluctuations; quarter-wave plate; reset-free polarization controller; reset-free transformations; rotated synchronously; standard single-mode fibers; varying general input state of polarization; z-propagation LiNbO3; Automatic control; Communication system control; Control systems; Electromagnetic wave polarization; Fluctuations; Optical control; Optical devices; Optical fiber communication; Optical fiber polarization; Optical retarders;
Journal_Title :
Lightwave Technology, Journal of
