Measurement of Small Birefringence in an Optical Fiber by Dual Wavelength Maximum Extinction Ratio Method

Mitsuhiro TATEDA
Taku ISHIDATE

Publication
IEICE TRANSACTIONS on Communications   Vol.E90-B    No.10    pp.2926-2930
Publication Date: 2007/10/01
Online ISSN: 1745-1345
DOI: 10.1093/ietcom/e90-b.10.2926
Print ISSN: 0916-8516
Type of Manuscript: PAPER
Category: Sensing
Keyword: 
birefringence,  wavelength dependent retardation,  removal of ambiguity in retardation,  ribbon fiber,  

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Summary: 
When a linearly polarized light is launched into a birefringent material, the output light is generally elliptically polarized. The ratio of the major and minor axes of the polarization ellipse varies depending on the angle between the polarization direction of the input light and the birefringent axis of the medium. The maximum ratio is determined only by the retardation due to the birefringence. Utilizing this phenomena, birefringence of a medium whose principal axis direction is unclear is measured with high precision by measuring the maximum extinction ratio for various input light polarization directions. Ambiguity in retardation associated with angular function solution is removed by measurement at two adjacent wavelengths. The measurement principle of the new method is confirmed by applying it to a quarter wave plate made of quartz. Birefringence of a 3 m long ribbon fiber as small as 10-7 is successfully measured.