Endless fiber-to-fiber polarization controller based on ceramic programmable waveplates

J. Bourderionnet , D. Dolfi , J.-P. Huignard (1) , B. Ea-Kim , E. Corbel , C. Mahodaux , A. Poudoulec , Damien Gauden (2)

1 Thales Research and Technology [Palaiseau]
2 FOTON - Fonctions Optiques pour les Technologies de l'informatiON

In this letter, we report a fast and endless polarization controller based on lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramic programmable waveplates. A set of four volume electrodes placed in a cylindrical arrangement are drilled in an electrooptic ceramic plate. By using the Kerr effect, and taking advantage of the high electrooptic coefficient and fast response time of the PLZT, we thus, obtain a fast rotatable and variable waveplate. Then, cascading two of these waveplates produces an endless polarization controller.

Domaines: Optique [physics.optics]

J. Bourderionnet, D. Dolfi, J.-P. Huignard, B. Ea-Kim, E. Corbel, et al.. Endless fiber-to-fiber polarization controller based on ceramic programmable waveplates. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 2004, Vol.16 (Issue 4), pp.1101-1103. ⟨10.1109/LPT.2004.824617⟩. ⟨hal-00145837⟩