Large inverse relaxation of photoinduced birefringence in an azobenzene-containing ionic self-assembly complex

Photoinduced anisotropy and polarization holographic recording were investigated in an azobenzene-containing ionic self-assembly complex. The complex film was found to possess large photoinduced dichroism (D～0.36) and photoinduced birefringence (Δn～10^?2). A noteworthy observation was that the photoinduced birefringence did not show any decay, but strongly increased after switching off the pump light at room temperature. The diffracted signals of the polarization holographic gratings, written by two orthogonally linear and circular polarized beams respectively, exhibited similar inverse relaxation behavior as the photoinduced birefringence after switching off the writing lights. A discussion about the mechanism accounting for the abnormal relaxation process of photoinduced birefringence is presented.     

Azodye Gelatin Films for Polarization Holographic Recording

Mordant pure yellow azodye in a matrix of gelatin is proposed as a medium for stable polarization recording. Relatively high values of birefringence are measured (over #x0394;n = 0.02). Polarization diffraction gratings are recorded with two circularly polarized waves and diffraction efficiency of 67#x0025; is achieved at 633 nm. Protected from the humidity, the recording is stable. Long-term radiation by a 633 nm probe beam is harmless as well. Unusual behaviour is observed when acting on the recorded grating alternatively with one of the recording beams. The left circularly polarized beam erases the grating sharply, while the right circularly polarized beam, before erasure, initially increases the diffraction efficiency.This paper was originally presented at the 2001 International Conference (2nd Joint OSJ-SPIE Conference) on Optical Engineering for Sensing and Nanotechnology, ICOSN 2001 which was held June 6-8, 2001 at the Pacifico-Yokohama Conference Center, Yokohama, Japan.     

Polarization locked vector solitons and axis instability in optical fiber

We experimentally observe polarization-locked vector solitons in optical fiber. Polarization locked-vector solitons use nonlinearity to preserve their polarization state despite the presence of birefringence. To achieve conditions where the delicate balance between nonlinearity and birefringence can survive, we studied the polarization evolution of the pulses circulating in a laser constructed entirely of optical fiber. We observe two distinct states with fixed polarization. This first state occurs for very small values birefringence and is elliptically polarized. We measure the relative phase between orthogonal components along the two principal axes to be +/-pi/2. The relative amplitude varies linearly with the magnitude of the birefringence. This state is a polarization locked vector soliton. The second, linearly polarized, state occurs for larger values of birefringence. The second state is due to the fast axis instability. We provide complete characterization of these states, and present a physical explanation of both of these states and the stability of the polarization locked vector solitons. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics.     

Inscription of holographic gratings using circularly polarized light: influence of the optical set-up on the birefringence and surface relief grating properties

The polarization properties of the optical set-up used for holographic recording of diffraction gratings on azopolymer thin films are analyzed. The state of polarization of circularly polarized light is fully analyzed after reflection on a mirror at various incidences (Lloyd-mirror set-up). The Stokes analysis is performed using a photopolarimeter and the phase shift, the ellipticity and the azimuth orientation are compared with those calculated from Fresnel formulae. At large angles of incidence, an initially right circularly polarized (RCP) beam becomes elliptically polarized with an azimuth of nearly +45°. From these results, holographic diffraction gratings are recorded on an azobenzene-containing polymer thin film using (i) co- and contra-circularly polarized beams and (ii) a right circularly polarized beam interfering with a +45° linearly polarized light beam. Using Jones-matrix formalism, the polarization states of the diffracted orders from the birefringence (Δn) and the surface-relief (2Δd) gratings are derived and compared with experimental measurements. Finally, the induced local birefringences and surface-relief amplitudes are discussed in connection with atomic force microscopy measurements. The diffraction efficiencies obtained under the (+45°+RCP) and (LCP + RCP) (where LCP = left circularly polarized) configurations are thus compared and discussed. Received: 5 October 2001 / Revised version: 26 November 2001 / Published online: 17 January 2002     

Polarization holographic gratings in an azobenzene side-chain liquid-crystalline polymer

Polarization holographic recording was investigated in a liquid-crystalline azobenzene side-chain polymer. A highly stable polarization holographic grating with the diffraction efficiency of 12.6% was written in the polymer film by two orthogonally linearly polarized 532 nm beams with equal intensities of 150 mW/cm². The polarization grating was studied with a 633 nm probe beam by surveying the conversion of the polarization state of the probe beam and measuring the dependence of diffraction efficiency on the polarization direction of the probe beam. It was found that the ± first-order diffraction efficiency and the polarization of the diffracted wave depended strongly on the polarization of the readout wave. The unusual diffraction properties of the recorded grating were attributed to the presence of the circular photoinduced birefringence. PACS 42.40.Ht; 42.40.Lx; 78.20.Fm     

椭圆芯非六角对称高双折射聚合物PCFs

采用全矢量平面波展开法,以聚合物PMMA为基材,研究了椭圆芯非六角对称聚合物光子晶体光纤（Photonic Crystal Fibers,PCFs）的传输模场和偏振特性,从理论上分析了其模式双折射和光纤结构参量的关系.研究结果表明,该PCFs基模的两个正交偏振态不再简并,模场呈现明显的椭圆并具有较强的线偏振特性；另外,该光纤的模式双折射强烈地依赖于光纤的结构参量,通过适当调节光纤的相对孔间距比,有望在给定波长范围内实现更高双折射单模运行.     

Investigation of the mode splitting induced by electro-optic birefringence in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser by polarized electroluminescence

The mode splitting induced by electro-optic birefringence in a P-I-N InGaAs/GaAs/A1GaAs vertical-cavity surface- emitting laser （VCSEL） has been studied by polarized electroluminescence （EL） at room temperature. The polarized EL spectra with E｜｜[110] and E ｜｜ [150] directions, are extracted for different injected currents. The mode splitting of the two orthogonal polarized modes for a VCSEL device is determined, and its value increases linearly with the increasing injected current due to electro-optic birefringence; This article demonstrates that the polarized EL is a powerful tool to study the mode splitting and polarization anisotropy of a VCSEL device.     

Self-mixing interference effects in orthogonally polarized dual-frequency Nd:YAG lasers at different feedback levels

The self-mixing interference effects are investigated in birefringence dual-frequency Nd:YAG lasers at different optical feedback levels. For weak feedback level, both of the intensities of the two modes are sinusoidally modulated by external cavity length with a feedback period of half laser wavelength. While these two modes can only coexist in a part of feedback period at moderate feedback level, i.e., one mode reaches its maximum intensity, the other one extinguishes. At high feedback level, complete polarization switching (one mode oscillating, the other one extinguishing) between two polarized modes is observed, and every switching corresponds to quarter-wavelength variation of external cavity length. Furthermore, two feedback schemes, i.e., isotropic optical feedback (IOF) and polarized optical feedback (POF) are taken into account. The theoretical analysis based on a model of two-mode-coupled laser is presented, which is in good agreement with experimental results. Our results can advance the research of self-mixing interferometer of orthogonally polarized dual-frequency lasers.     

Locking bandwidth and birefringence effects for polarized optical injection in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of external optical injection taking account of polarization and electron spin properties in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). Using external polarized injection we seek the locked phases and amplitudes of specific polarized fields in terms of injection level and frequency detuning, taking account of two kinds of distinguishable carrier density (spin-up and spin-down). For the conventional form of optical injection without taking account of spin-polarized fields there are three fundamental equations describing the carrier density, field amplitude and phase. However, by using the spin flip model (SFM), the combined effect of polarized fields along two perpendicular crystal axes and electron spin properties results in six equations. We analyse the conditions for stable locking and also the influence of birefringence effects on the stability map of detuning versus optical injection for both cases of injection polarized parallel and perpendicular to the lasing mode of the solitary VCSEL. For given values of pumping and spin relaxation rate there is a minimum birefringence rate for orthogonal injection. Above this value three regions of elliptical polarization are found in the stability map, namely “quasi-stability” (QS), “coupled limit cycle” (CLC) and “coupled chaos” (CC). The three regions of linear polarization, namely chaos, limit cycle and stability, are reduced in area compared to the case of parallel injection. For orthogonal injection it is found that increased birefringence or reduced spin relaxation rate causes the stable locking region to begin at higher injected power and frequency detuning.     

Enhancement of fringe visibility in a fibre interferometer

A simple method for increasing fringe visibility of an interference pattern in a Mach-Zehnder type fibre interferometer is presented. In order to obtain high visibility, two elliptically polarized waves emitted from fibres with birefringence are transformed into two linearly polarized waves of equal amplitude and with parallel planes of polarization by using ordinary optical components. Instability of fringe patterns due to temperature fluctuation of the air surrounding the fibres is also discussed.     

Two-dimensional birefringence measurement system with a polarization modulator and a rotating analyzer

The measuring system of two-dimensional birefringence distribution with a polarization modulator and a rotating analyzer using a rotating analyzer method is presented. The system simply consists of a laser diode, two polarizers, two quarter wave plates and a CCD camera. Thanks to an imaging system, the mechanism to scan a sample is unnecessary and two-dimensional measurement is possible and easy. The birefringence of retardation and orientation of the optic axis can be determined by the azimuth angle of an elliptically polarized light passing through a sample. The azimuth angle is obtained by applying the phase shifting algorithm to measure the polarization properties; by improving the calculation algorithm, wide range measurement is accomplished. The measurement procedure and a number of results are described.     

Mimicking optical activity for generating radially polarized light

We propose a new scheme for generating radially polarized light by mimicking optical activity using linear birefringence. It involves a birefringent spirally varying retarder sandwiched between two orthogonally oriented quarter-wave plates. Using Poincaré sphere representation, we show that the polarization transformation of such a scheme is equivalent to that of a spirally varying optical activity and is capable of generating radially polarized light. We demonstrate the proof-of-concept using y-cut crystalline quartz.     

单模光纤中线偏振皮秒脉冲光的光致多脉冲现象的新解释

结合单模光纤的本征线性双折射与非线性双折射效应，利用二偏振分量的耦合方程对单模光纤中线偏振皮秒脉冲光的光致多脉冲现象作出了解释，得到的计算结果与实验符合得很好。     

偶氮类有机材料光致双折射的测量

研究了2种偶氮聚合物薄膜的光致双折射效应,并探讨了泵浦光偏振态和光强对光致双折射的影响.采用远离共振区的He-Ne光(633nm)作为探测光,用Ar+激光(488nm)作为泵浦光,通过测量相关参量得到了样品的光致双折射值.实验结果表明:改变泵浦光的偏振态可以控制光致双折射值和探测光的透过信号强度,在0°～45°范围内,泵浦光光强存在最佳值,此时偶氮薄膜实验样品具有最大的双折射值.     

矩形点阵微结构聚合物光纤偏振特性研究

采用全矢量平面波方法,以聚合物为基材,研究了矩形点阵微结构聚合物光纤的传输模场和偏振性质.结果发现,矩形点阵微结构聚合物光纤基模两个正交偏振态不再简并,模场呈现类矩形且具有较强的线偏振特性;该光纤模式双折射产生于包层孔结构分布的不对称性,减小包层纵向孔间隔和横向孔间隔之比η值,双折射明显增强,适当调节η,可在更宽频带范围内实现高双折射单模运行.     

Effect of polarization on efficiency of volume Bragg grating filter

<正>Diffraction efficiency of volume Bragg grating,whose period is in the same order as the incident wavelength, is related to the polarization direction of the incident linear polarized beam.When two linearly polarized recording beams with the same polarization direction are used for recording volume Bragg gratings in a photopolymer with diffusion amplification,the azimuth of polarization of the reconstruction beam influences the diffraction efficiency of the grating.When the probe beam is linearly polarized and oriented orthogonally to the grating vectors,the±1-order diffraction beams are also linearly polarized with polarization direction parallel to that of the probe beam.According to the results,a two-dimensional nonspatial optical filter consisting of the volume Bragg gratings would achieve significantly higher efficiency.     

Mechanisms of polarization switching in single-transverse-mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers: thermal shift and nonlinear semiconductor dynamics

We analyze polarization switching in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, taking into account a proper semiconductor frequency-dependent complex susceptibility and spin-flip processes. Thermal effects are included as a varying detuning, and gain differences arise from birefringence splitting. We find that, for large birefringence, gain differences between the two linearly polarized modes are preponderant, and switching occurs owing to thermal shift. For small birefringence polarization switching from the high- to the low-gain mode occurs owing to the combined effect of birefringence and semiconductor phase-amplitude-coupled dynamics for a finite value of the carrier spin-flip rate.     

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°     

低功率近红外光的偏振方向对光致折射率变化影响的实验研究

研究了利用低功率近红外光辐照In:Fe:LiNbO3晶体时写入光束的偏振方向对光致折射率变化(Δn)的影响.分别采用正常偏振(o光)和非常偏振(e光)的近红外细激光束,在In:Fe:LiNbO3晶体中进行了光折变实验.研究表明,两种偏振方向引起晶体的Δn实测曲线相似,但变化规律恰好相反,o光引起的折射率变化量约是e光的3倍左右.近红外光写入下两种偏振光束引起晶体的Δn分布规律都不同于可见光,尤其是e光辐照区域中心晶体的折射率升高.因此,通过选择不同偏振方向的近红外光可以在光折变晶体中制作不同折射率分布的非线性光学器件.     

脉冲式可控偏振态变换器及其应用

本文提出一种基于晶体双折射效应的脉冲式可控偏振态变换器,可以实现偏振光六个偏振分量的脉冲变换.将它应用于偏振型光传感信号的单光路分时检测,可以提高信号检测灵敏度和传感信号的抗干扰能力.文中给出了利用铌酸锂晶体和脉冲电场对光传感信号的X、Y线性偏振分量进行脉冲变换的实验结果.