Transmission of orthogonally circularly polarized beams on a fiber

摘要

A beam source (110) for a heterodyne interferometer generates a beam containing components with different frequencies and respective orthogonal circular polarizations and directs the beam down an isotropic single-mode or few-mode optical fiber (130). Polarizations of light exiting the optical fiber (130) are converted to orthogonal linear polarizations for use in the interferometer, where the frequency components are separated according to linear polarization. Crosstalk between left-handed and right-handed polarizations in the optical fiber is low, which permits clean separation of frequency components. A quarter-wave plate (152) or other optical element that converts the polarization in the beam exiting the optical fiber (130) has a mounting (156) with tilt and roll angle adjustments to adjust to exit polarizations that depend on bends in the optical fiber (130). The optical fiber (130) can have a rigid jacket or fast relaxation time to provide a stable output. <IMAGE>