Frequency-domain interferometer for measurements of the polarization mode dispersion in single-mode optical fibers

Ultra-high dynamic range electro-optic sampling for detecting millimeter and sub-millimeter radiation

Time-domain spectroscopy using coherent millimeter and sub-millimeter radiation (also known as terahertz radiation) is rapidly expanding its application, owing greatly to the remarkable advances in generating and detecting such radiation. However, many current techniques for coherent terahertz detection have limited dynamic range, thus making it difficult to perform some basic experiments that need to directly compare strong and weak terahertz signals. Here, we propose and demonstrate a novel technique based on cross-polarized spectral-domain interferometry to achieve ultra-high dynamic range electro-optic sampling measurement of coherent millimeter and sub-millimeter radiation. In our scheme, we exploit the birefringence in a single-mode polarization maintaining fiber in order to measure the phase change induced by the electric field of terahertz radiation in the detection crystal. With our new technique, we have achieved a dynamic range of 7 × 10⁶, which is 4 orders of magnitude higher than conventional electro-optic sampling techniques, while maintaining comparable signal-to-noise ratio. The present technique is foreseen to have great impact on experiments such as linear terahertz spectroscopy of optically thick materials (such as aqueous samples) and nonlinear terahertz spectroscopy, where the higher dynamic range is crucial for proper interpretation of experimentally obtained results.

Spectral-domain measurements of birefringence and sensing characteristics of a side-hole microstructured fiber

We experimentally characterized a birefringent side-hole microstructured fiber in the visible wavelength region. The spectral dependence of the group and phase modal birefringence was measured using the methods of spectral interferometry. The phase modal birefringence of the investigated fiber increases with wavelength, but its positive sign is opposite to the sign of the group modal birefringence. We also measured the sensing characteristics of the fiber using a method of tandem spectral interferometry. Spectral interferograms corresponding to different values of a physical parameter were processed to retrieve the spectral phase functions and to determine the spectral dependence of polarimetric sensitivity to strain, temperature and hydrostatic pressure. A negative sign of the polarimetric sensitivity was deduced from the simulation results utilizing the known modal birefringence dispersion of the fiber. Our experimental results show that the investigated fiber has a very high polarimetric sensitivity to hydrostatic pressure, reaching −200 rad × MPa⁻¹× m⁻¹ at 750 nm.

Fiber-based single-channel polarization-sensitive spectral interferometry

We present a novel, to our knowledge, fiber-based single-channel polarization-sensitive spectral interferometry system that provides depth-resolved measurement of polarization transformations of light reflected from a sample. Algebraic expressions for the Stokes parameters at the output of the interferometer are derived for light reflected from a birefringent sample by using the cross-spectral density function. By insertion of a fiber-optic spectral polarimetry instrument into the detection path of a common-path spectral interferometer, the full set of Stokes parameters of light reflected from a sample can be obtained with a single optical frequency scan. The methodology requires neither polarization-control components nor prior knowledge of the polarization state of light incident on the sample. The fiber-based single-channel polarization-sensitive spectral interferometer and analysis are demonstrated by measurement of phase retardation and fast-axis angle of a birefringent mica plate.

Polarization-mode dispersion measurements in high-birefringence fibers by means of stimulated Raman scattering

A convenient technique for polarization-mode dispersion measurements in short lengths of high-birefringence fibers is reported. The technique is based on spectral interferometry with a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser, which is frequency shifted and broadened by self-stimulated Raman scattering in an optical fiber. The different Raman Stokes beams permit accurate measurements over a 40-nm wavelength range in the visible spectrum.

Polarization mode dispersion and vectorial modulational instability in air-silica microstructure fiber

The birefringence of an air-silica microstructure fiber has been studied by measurement of the fiber polarization mode dispersion (PMD) over the wavelength range 545-640 nm. The experimental results are shown to be in good agreement with vectorial numerical calculations, assuming an elliptical core with an eccentricity of 7%. We also report controlled experiments studying nonlinear vectorial modulation instability in the fiber, yielding 3.9-THz modulational instability sideband shifts that are in good agreement with theoretical predictions based on the calculated fiber dispersion and PMD characteristics.

Determination of the optical-axis orientation of a uniaxial crystal by frequency-domain interferometry

Frequency-domain interferometry has been used to find the optical axis of a uniaxial, birefringent crystal. The dependence of the interference fringe spacing on the incident angle and the direction of the optical axis were determined in a 4.6-cm-thick KDP crystal.