Polarization properties of nonlinear optical loop mirror with twisted fiber and birefringence bias in the loop

Baldemar Ibarra-Escamilla; Eugene A. Kuzin; Plácido Zaca-Morán; Rubén Grajales-Coutiño; Francisco Méndez-Martínez; Olivier Pottiez; Joseph W. Haus; Roberto Rojas-Laguna

doi:10.1117/12.644182

10 February 2006 Polarization properties of nonlinear optical loop mirror with twisted fiber and birefringence bias in the loop

Baldemar Ibarra-Escamilla, Eugene A. Kuzin, Plácido Zaca-Morán, Rubén Grajales-Coutiño, Francisco Méndez-Martínez, Olivier Pottiez, Joseph W. Haus, Roberto Rojas-Laguna

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6103, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials, Devices, and Applications V; 61030F (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.644182
Event: Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering, 2006, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

The nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) is used in application like optical switching and demultiplexing, all-optical active mode locking, passive mode locking, pedestal suppression, pulse shaping, etc. This device offers a versatile way to obtain a nonlinear transmission behavior through the nonlinear differential phase shift between the two interfering beams due to the self-phase modulation. Recently we discussed a NOLM device using a symmetrical coupler, highly twisted fiber, and a quarter-wave (QW) retarder introducing the polarization asymmetry in the loop. We have shown high contrast operation, flexibility of characteristics, and stability in time. In this report we analyze theoretically and study experimentally the transmission behavior for different input polarization considering as well different output polarizations. We propose a simple description of the NOLM transmission for right- and left-hand circular output polarization at different output polarization states. The nonlinear characteristics depend on the QW retarder plate angle, but also on the polarization state at the NOLM input. Experiments were carry out with the NOLM consisted of a 500-m length SMF-28 fiber with twist rate of 7 turns/meter. Experiments show a good agreement with our theoretical approach. Appropriate choice of the input and output polarizations allows very high contrast, at least higher than 5000. Our measurements were restricted by sensitivity of our detection system to measure low power pulses at conditions when theoretically transmission must be equal zero. Experiments show flexibility and stability of characteristics. Adjustment of the QW retarder and input polarization allows tuning the critical power over a wide range.

Citation Download Citation

Baldemar Ibarra-Escamilla, Eugene A. Kuzin, Plácido Zaca-Morán, Rubén Grajales-Coutiño, Francisco Méndez-Martínez, Olivier Pottiez, Joseph W. Haus, and Roberto Rojas-Laguna "Polarization properties of nonlinear optical loop mirror with twisted fiber and birefringence bias in the loop", Proc. SPIE 6103, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials, Devices, and Applications V, 61030F (10 February 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.644182

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available