Polarization scrambler using a retardance element

A polarization scrambler, comprising:

• an optical fiber input to transmit an optical signal;
• a beam expander to expand the optical signal from the optical fiber input into an expanded optical signal, wherein the beam expander further includes:
• a patterned retarder to provide a polarization scrambling effect on the expanded optical signal to create a scrambled expanded optical signal, and
• a motor arm to move the patterned retarder in and out of an optical path of the optical signal in at least one of an x-, y-, or z-plane to improve the polarization scrambling effect;
• a beam reducer to reduce the scrambled expanded optical signal from the patterned retarder to create a scrambled optical signal;
• and
• an optical fiber output to transmit the scrambled optical signal to a downstream optical component.

A method comprising:

• providing an optical fiber input to transmit an optical signal;
• providing a beam expander to expand the optical signal from the optical fiber input into an expanded optical signal;
• providing a patterned retarder to receive the expanded optical signal from the beam expander and provide a polarization scrambling effect on the expanded optical signal to create a scrambled expanded optical signal;
• providing a motor arm to move the patterned retarder in and out of an optical path of the optical signal in at least one of an x-, y-, or z-plane to improve the polarization scrambling effect of the patterned retarder;
• providing a beam reducer to reduce the scrambled expanded optical signal from the patterned retarder into a scrambled optical signal;
• and
• providing an optical fiber output to transmit the scrambled optical signal from the beam reducer to a downstream optical component.