Cancellation of simple optical anisotropies without use of a Faraday mirror

We first derive the round-trip Jones matrix for double passage through a reciprocal optical medium by means of reflection off a plane mirror that could be optically anisotropic. We then show that if a medium with only linear birefringence and linear dichroism is placed between a pair of orthogonal quarter-wave plates with principal axes at 45 degrees to that of the medium and the sandwich is placed in front of an isotropic mirror it behaves, under double passage, like an isotropic medium. We describe a simple liquid crystal device that behaves, in reflection, as an isotropic medium whose refractive index can be varied by application of an electric field, thus acting as a phase only modulator for light in any polarization state.     

椭偏法测量云母波片相位延迟量及双折射率(英文)

为了得到云母波片的相位延迟量和双折射率随波长的变化关系,利用椭偏光谱仪连续测量了云母波片在400～770nm光谱范围内的延迟量.在对云母波片进行校准后,测量的数据被光电探测器收集并输送到计算机,根据输出的数据可以得到云母波片的相位延迟量随波长的变化.利用测得的延迟量计算出了云母波片在一定光谱范围内的双折射率,得到了云母波片的双折射率色散曲线,并通过拟合得到了双折射率色散公式.该方法能测量任意波片的相位延迟量,并且具有测量方便、周期短、精度高等特点.     

Phenanthrenequinone–polymethylmethacrylate composite for polarization phase recording

We present the results of an experimental study of photoanisotropy in polymethylmethacrylate layers containing phenanthrenequinone. We consider the characteristic features of inducing birefringence for different contents of the photosensitive molecules and temperatures of the layer. We propose a mechanism for appearance of photoinduced birefringence; we explain the concentration and temperature dependences of its magnitude based on the dimerization of phenanthrenequinone, established from the IR spectra. We have observed stability of the photoinduced birefringence relative to subsequent exposure to optical radiation, which can be used to improve contrast when converting polarization phase images to amplitude images.     

Invivo depth-resolved birefringence measurements of the human retinal nerve fiber layer by polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of in vivo depth-resolved birefringence measurements of the human retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) by use of polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). Because glaucoma causes nerve fiber layer damage, which may cause loss of retinal birefringence, PS-OCT is a potentially useful technique for the early detection of glaucoma. We built a fiber-based PS-OCT setup that produces quasi-real-time images of the human retina in vivo . Preliminary measurements of a healthy volunteer showed that the double-pass phase retardation per unit depth of the RNFL near the optic nerve head is 39+/-6( degrees )/100microm .     

含有负折射率介质层的布喇格镜的光学特性研究

从电磁场理论推导了光波在负折射率介质薄层中的传输矩阵,对由正、负折射率介质构成的全介质布喇格反射镜的反射带宽和角度特性进行了分析和讨论,与普通的均由正折射率介质构成的布喇格反射镜的相应特性做了对比,并根据薄膜理论对研究结果作了解释.结果表明含有负折射率介质的布喇格全反射镜的反射带宽和角度特性均优于普通由正折射率介质构成的布喇格镜.     

Two-dimensional birefringence imaging in biological tissue by polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

Using a low-coherence Michelson interferometer, we measure two-dimensional images of optical birefringence in bovine tendon as a function of depth. Polarization-sensitive detection of the signal formed by interference of backscattered light from the sample and a mirror in the reference arm give the optical phase delay between light that is propagating along the fast and slow axes of the birefringent tendon. Images showing the change in birefringence in response to laser irradiation are presented. The technique permits rapid noncontact investigation of tissue structural properties through two-dimensional imaging of birefringence.     

Influence of retardation between orthogonal components of circularly polarized light in the vortex phase plate on the structure of diffracted beam

The influence of retardation between orthogonal components of circularly polarized light on diffraction pattern generated by the vortex phase plate with a birefringence medium is considered. It is shown that if the ideal retardation π is broken, the pattern diffracted from the phase plate is described by superposition of two components: the vortex beam with the deep hole and the incident beam which preserves its initial characteristics. The computation results characterizing the influence of retardation on the Gaussian and Airy beams transformation in the vortex phase plate are presented. These results point out that vortex beam characteristics are very sensitive to retardation shift from its ideal value. We analyze and present the characteristics of the vortex phase plate that are required for the true vortex pattern generation.     

磁场中双折射光纤的琼斯矩阵等效模型

采用延迟器与旋光器的串联模型, 研究磁场中双折射光纤的偏振传输特性, 将它们的琼斯矩阵按照两种不同的顺序级联相乘, 导出了两种等效模型中等效相位延迟量、等效快轴方向和等效旋光角的解析表达式。研究发现, 当光纤同时具有线双折射和圆双折射时, 单位长度的等效相位延迟量并不等于其固有的线双折射, 等效旋光角也不等于其法拉第旋转角, 它们同时都与光纤的固有线双折射和磁场引起的圆双折射相关联。且在不同级联顺序的两种等效模型中, 等效相位延迟器的快轴方向都不与光纤的双折射主轴重合, 而是分别向两个相反的方向偏移一定的角度, 偏移角为等效旋光角的一半。     

Polarization-maintaining fiber-based optical low-coherence reflectometer for characterization and ranging of birefringence

We describe a polarization-maintaining fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical low-coherence reflectometer for measurement of depth-resolved birefringence. Unlike for other fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical low-coherence reflectometers, here the linear birefringence of a sample can be measured from data recorded in a single A scan. Simultaneous measurement of retardation and orientation of birefringent axes with mica wave plates is demonstrated. The measured retardation is insensitive to sample rotation in the plane perpendicular to ranging.     

The new circular heterodyne interferometer with electro-optic modulation for measurement of the optical linear birefringence

We present a new circular heterodyne interferometer with electro-optic modulation for measurement of the optical linear birefringence. It enables the measurement of not only the phase retardation but also the principal angle. The measurement procedure is carried out in two steps. In the first step of measurements, we use the electro-optic modulated circular heterodyne interferometer and the phase-lock technique to precisely measure the principal axis angle. After rotating the analyzer in the setup, the phase retardation is determined also by the phase-lock technique. The compact configuration requires only a photodetector and two simple phase-lock extractions to determine the principal axis angle and the phase retardation. The validity of the proposed design is demonstrated by measurement of the principal axis angle and phase retardation of a quarter-wave plate sample. The root-mean-square resolutions for the principal axis angle and phase retardation are found to be 0.0396° and 0.0796°, respectively, with corresponding dynamic ranges of 0–180° and 0–180°.     

Improving attosecond pulse reflection by large angle incidence for a periodic multilayer mirror in the extreme ultraviolet region

The improvement of attosecond pulse reflection by large angle incidence for a periodic multilayer mirror in the extreme ultraviolet region has been discussed. Numerical simulations of both spectral and temporal reflection characteristics of periodic multilayer mirrors under various incident angles have been analyzed and compared. It was found that the periodic multilayer mirror under a larger incidence angle can provide not only higher integrated reflectivity but also a broader reflection band with negligible dispersion, making it possible to obtain better a reflected pulse that has a higher pulse reflection efficiency and shorter pulse duration for attosecond pulse reflection. In addition, by increasing the incident angle, the promotion of attosecond pulse reflection capability has been proven for periodic multilayer mirrors with arbitrary layers.     

基于高双折射光子晶体光纤环镜的全光纤平顶梳状滤波器(英文)

A novel all-fibre flat-top comb filter based on a high birefringence photonic crystal fibre loop mirror is proposed and demonstrated. We simulate theoretically its output spectra and experimentally realize a flat-top output with a high extinction ratio. Compared to filters consisting of the conventional Panda polarization maintaining fibre, filters based on a high birefringence photonic crystal fibre loop mirror have better temperature stability. This kind of filter can be expected to be used widely in Wave...     

Improving attosecond pulse reflection by large angle incidence for periodic multilayer mirror in the extreme ultraviolet region

The improvement of attosecond pulse reflection by large angle incidence for periodic multilayer mirror in the extreme ultraviolet region has been discussed. Numerical simulations of both spectral and temporal reflection characteristics of periodic multilayer mirrors under various incident angles have been analyzed and compared. It was found that the periodic multilayer mirror under larger incidence angle can provide not only higher integrated reflectivity but also broader reflection band with negligible dispersion, making it possible to obtain better reflected pulse that owns higher pulse reflection efficiency and shorter pulse duration for attosecond pulse reflection. In addition, with increasing of incident angle, the promoting of attosecond pulse reflection capability has been proven for periodic multilayer mirrors with arbitrary layers.     

Analysis of integrated corner mirrors by using a wide-angle beam propagation method

An integrated corner mirror is analyzed by using a two-dimensional (2D) wide-angle beam propagation method (WA-BPM) combining with an effective index method (EIM). Both the reflection efficiency and the phase variation due to a total internal reflection (TIR) for the TE and TM modes are calculated. A non-perfect fabrication (such as a tilted or displaced mirror) introduces an additional reflection loss and some errors of the phase variation. The additional reflection loss due to a tilted mirror increases rapidly as the tilted angle increases and becomes more sensitive to the tilted angle when the confinement of the waveguide becomes weaker. It is shown that the displacement of a mirror influences the phase variation greatly and the difference of the phase variation between the TE and TM modes is not sensitive to the displacement of the mirror.     

基于高双折射光子晶体光纤环镜的全光纤平顶梳状滤波器

A novel all-fibre flat-top comb filter based on a high birefringence photonic crystal fibre loop mirror is proposed and demonstrated. We simulate theoretically its output spectra and experimentally realize a flat-top output with a high extinction ratio. Compared to filters consisting of the conventional Panda polarization main- taining fibre, filters based on a high birefringence photonic crystal fibre loop mirror have better temperature stability. This kind of filter can be expected to be used widely in Wavelength-division-multiplexing（WDM） systems in the future.     

Polarization-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography using only Linearly Polarized Light

This work presents polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) using only linearly polarized light. The main characteristics of linear PS-OCT include the following. (1) In a turbid medium with linear birefringence, the degree of polarization (DOP) of backscattered linearly incident polarized light does not change significantly with the increase of birefringence value; (2) the phase retardation of the sample can be obtained from only the phase difference between the orthogonal polarization heterodyne signals, so a common phase noise rejection mode is introduced. These advantages may not only support the immunity of background phase noise and laser frequency noise, but also increase the sensitivity of phase retardation measurements; (3) the dynamic range of phase retardation in this system is between 0° and 180°     

Wavelength-tunable erbium-doped fiber laser with FBG and HiBi fiber loop mirror as reflectors

In this paper, a novel structure erbium-doped fiber laser with a linear cavity is demonstrated. The wavelength selective devices are a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and a high birefringence (HiBi) fiber loop mirror. From 1543.8 to 1555.2 nm, 15 lasering wavelengths with side mode suppresion ratio (SMSR) ＞ 54dB and approximately 0.8-nm spacing have been obtained by using the comb-like reflection spectrum of fiber loop mirror and the intensity reaches about 2.5 dBm on an average. The reflectivity at different wavelengths can be tuned with different settings of polarization controller and the relative laser intensity can be controlled over a dynamic range of 13.5 dB.     

激光回馈波片位相延迟测量的误差源及消除方法

激光回馈法是一种新型的波片位相延迟测量方法。将波片放置在激光器与回馈镜之间,可使激光回馈波形产生偏振90°旋转（即跳变）现象,而两偏振态所占的周期比（占空比）与波片的位相延迟相关。通过测量占空比即可由计算机自动给出波片位相延迟。采用双向扫描回馈镜,2次获得并测出占空比,这样可以很好地消除两偏振态损耗的波动造成的测量误差,提高了该方法长期测量的稳定性。测量的重复性达到0.5°。该方法结构简单,在线测量精度高,满足工业化生产的需要。     

External-cavity birefringence feedback effects of microchip Nd:YAG laser and its application in angle measurement

External-cavity birefringence feedback effects of the microchip Nd:YAG laser are presented. When a birefringence element is placed in the external feedback cavity of the laser, two orthogonally polarized laser beams with a phase difference are output. The phase difference is twice as large as the phase retardation in the external cavity along the two orthogonal directions. The variable extra-cavity birefringence, caused by rotation of the external-cavity birefringence element, results in tunable phase difference between the two orthogonally polarized beams. This means that the roll angle information has been translated to phase difference of two output laser beams. A theoretical analysis based on the Fabry--Perot cavity equivalent model and refractive index ellipsoid is presented, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. This phenomenon has potential applications for roll angle measurement.