Open AccessIntra-cavity fiber laser technique for high accuracy birefringence measurement
Author(s) -
Ning Li,
Fei Luo,
Selim Ünlü,
Theodore F. Morse,
Juan HernándezCordero,
James M. Battiato,
Ding Wang
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.14.007594
Subject(s) - birefringence , optics , polarizer , laser , materials science , polarization (electrochemistry) , polarization maintaining optical fiber , fiber bragg grating , longitudinal mode , fiber laser , optical fiber , physics , fiber optic sensor , chemistry
When a device under test (DUT) with birefringence is placed within a laser cavity two distinct sets of orthogonally polarized longitudinal modes will result. If the output of the laser is sent through a 45(o) linear polarizer, polarization mode beating (PMB) between these two sets of longitudinal modes can be detected. We demonstrate the relation between PMB and the birefringence of the DUT and show that by tracking the PMB it provides a sensitive measurement of the birefringence of the device. We first examined the birefringence of a Newport PM fiber and then measured the birefringence of a 3M (Austin, TX) Chirped grating 1.0 m in length. For comparison, birefringence measurements were performed using a Hewlett-Packard Polarization Analyzer (HP 8509B).