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Automation of Mode Locking in a Nonlinear Polarization Rotation Fiber Laser through Output Polarization Measurements
Published on: February 28, 2016
Optical phase and intensity modulation from a rotating optical flat: effect on noise in degree of polarization
Steven J Lascos1, Daniel T Cassidy
1McMaster University, Department of Engineering Physics, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L7, Canada. slascos@hotmail.com
Abstract:
A spectral analysis of the electrical signal from the detector in degree of polarization (DOP) measurements that use a rotating polarizer shows base band frequencies that create a noise floor. The noise floor arises from phase and intensity modulation of the optical field owing to the varying thickness and transmission of the rotating optical polarizer in the DOP apparatus. A physical model is presented for the noise floor arising from the phase and intensity modulation, and a calibration procedure including configuration guidelines is provided to minimize the effects of the unwanted modulations.
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