Polarization controller
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A Polarization Controller is an optical device which allows to modify the polarization state of ligth.[1]
Operation
A polarization controller can be obtained by placing on the optical path three rotatable waveplates in cascade: a first half-waveplate, a quarter-waveplate and a second half-waveplate. Each one of the waveplates acts on the light polarization state in such a way that their combination and rotation allows the modification of an arbitrary state of polarization into another. Polarization controllers can be implemented with free space optics, through a fiber pigtailed U-bench, for example. In that case, light exits the fiber, passes through the three waveplates, that can be freely rotated to allow polarization adjustment and ten enters back into the fiber. Polarization controller can also be implemented in a all-fiber solution. In that case, the polarization of light is changed through the application of a controlled stress to the fiber itself.
References
- ^ E. Collett, "Polarized light in fiber optics",SPIE Press, p. 540 (2003)