Self-aligning polarization strategy for making side polished polarization maintaining fiber devices

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Polarization-maintaining fibers (PMFs) are crucial for optical systems requiring stable polarization states.
• Fabricating integrated polarizers on PMFs often involves complex alignment and can introduce optical losses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, self-aligning method for fabricating polarizers directly onto PMFs.
• To enhance the polarization extinction ratio (PER) and temperature stability of PMF polarizers.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing stress-applying parts (SAPs) within the PMF cladding for self-alignment of the polished surface and the slow axis.
• Direct fabrication of polarizers onto the PMF, eliminating optical path interruptions and internal reflections.

Main Results:

• Achieved self-alignment of the side-polished face and the slow axis.
• Demonstrated high polarization extinction ratio (PER) and temperature stability in fabricated polarizers.
• Significantly reduced polarization axis alignment (PAA) error.

Conclusions:

• The SAP-based self-alignment method dramatically increases the success rate of producing high-PER (> 23 dB) side-polished PMF polarizers from 18.8% to 65.0%.
• This approach offers a more efficient and reliable way to manufacture integrated PMF polarizers.