Open AccessIn-line polarization-dependent microfiber interferometers and their applications in UWB signal generation
Author(s) -
Ping Zhao,
Jihua Zhang,
Yuan Yu,
Jianji Dong,
Lei Shi,
Yang Liu,
Chi Zhang
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.21.008231
Subject(s) - optics , microfiber , interferometry , materials science , polarization (electrochemistry) , astronomical interferometer , birefringence , optical circulator , multi mode optical fiber , polarization maintaining optical fiber , optical fiber , optoelectronics , fiber optic sensor , physics , chemistry , composite material
A novel in-line polarization-dependent microfiber interferometer (PD-MFI) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which is tapered from a commercial polarization-maintaining fiber. Different from conventional MFIs, the transmission spectra of such MFIs are highly polarization-dependent, due to the mode-sensitive birefringence. The experimental results agree well with the theoretical predictions. Moreover, exploiting the polarization-dependent property of PD-MFIs, we demonstrate a simple and flexible scheme of generating polarity-switchable ultra-wideband pulses in the optical domain. Doublet pulses with a central frequency of 6.28 GHz and a 10-dB bandwidth of 7.86 GHz are obtained. Hence, with the advantages of being fiberized, simple fabrication and robustness, these PD-MFIs can be attractive elements in optical signal processing, optical sensing, optical fiber communication, and microwave photonics.