METHOD FOR FABRICATION OF AN ALL FIBER POLARIZATION RETARDATION DEVICE

摘要

In many optics applications, it is desirable to retard the polarization of a light wave, i.e., to change the polarization state of a light wave. In a method for retarding polarization of a light wave, a first linear polarization-maintaining fiber having a first beat length is spliced to a second polarization-maintaining fiber having a high birefringence and a second beat length. The second fiber is then cleaved to a length which is a fraction of the second beat length. The first fiber and the second fiber may be secured in a removable or permanent capillary. A light wave is transmitted into the first fiber and the polarization state of the light wave is determined. To adjust the polarization state, the second fiber may be lapped against an abrasive substance. The second fiber may be repeatedly lapped until a desired polarization state is achieved. In an alternate method, a first linear polarization-maintaining fiber is spliced to a second polarization-maintaining fiber having a high birefringence and a beat length. The second fiber is cleaved to a length which is a fraction of the beat length and a third fiber is spliced to the second fiber. A light wave is transmitted through the fibers and the polarization state of the light wave is determined. All or part of the second fiber may be heated to adjust the polarization state of a light wave. The second fiber may be repeatedly heated until a desired polarization state is achieved.