Polarization control in a large-stroke optical fiber delay line

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics and Photonics
• Materials Science
• Optical Fiber Technology

Background:

• Optical fiber delay-lines are crucial components in various photonic systems.
• Maintaining polarization coherence is essential for the performance of polarization-sensitive optical systems.
• Silica fiber stretching capability offers a tunable method for implementing delay-lines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate the polarization coherence preservation of highly birefringent fibers under substantial stretching.
• To evaluate the suitability of stretched highly birefringent fibers for optical fiber delay-line implementations.
• To characterize the impact of stretching on polarization cross-coupling and group delay.

Main Methods:

• Experimental demonstration of polarization cross-coupling as a function of fiber stretching.
• Characterization of group delay variation induced by stretching over a 0-45 cm span.
• Testing the performance of the fiber stretcher in an interferometric setup.

Main Results:

• Highly birefringent fibers demonstrated robust polarization coherence maintenance despite large applied stresses.
• Stretching induced predictable variations in group delay.
• The fiber stretcher proved effective in an interferometric application, confirming its utility.

Conclusions:

• Highly birefringent fibers are suitable for optical fiber delay-line applications requiring polarization coherence.
• The demonstrated stretching capability allows for tunable delay-line implementation without compromising polarization integrity.
• These findings support the use of stretched birefringent fibers in advanced photonic systems.