Open AccessPolarization control in a He-Ne laser using birefringence feedback
Author(s) -
Ligang Fei,
Shulian Zhang,
Yan Li,
Jun Zhu
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/opex.13.003117
Subject(s) - birefringence , optics , polarization (electrochemistry) , physics , laser , polarization rotator , eigenvalues and eigenvectors , duty cycle , hysteresis , materials science , condensed matter physics , voltage , quantum mechanics , chemistry
The polarization dynamics of laser subjected to weak optical feedback from birefringence external cavity are studied theoretically and experimentally. It is found that polarization flipping with hysteresis is induced by birefringence feedback, and the intensities of two eigenstates are both modulated by external cavity length. The variations of hysteresis loop and duty ratios of two eigenstates in one period of intensity modulation with phase differences of birefringence element in external cavity are observed. When the phase difference is ?/2, the two eigenstates will equally alternatively oscillate, and the width of hysteresis loop is the smallest.