Apparatus and methods for polarization measurements across a spectral range
AssigneeTerapulse, Inc.
InventorsSteven J. Wein, James D. Targove, Arthur Menikoff
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for polarimetric measurements across a spectral range, such as determining the polarimetric state across a wavelength band in a wavelength-division multiplexed fiber optic channel. A variable phase delay is introduced between orthogonal polarization components in an incident light. The resulting intensity changes are used to compute parameters indicative of the polarimetric state of the light. These measurements may be used, for example, for polarimetric imaging, polarimetric component characterization, and measuring polarization states in a fiber link.
Claims35
An apparatus for polarimetric state measurement across a spectral range, comprising:
- a phase modifier for receiving incident light having a plurality of polarization components and, in response thereto, providing a dithered light;
- and
- a polarization state detector for receiving the dithered light and determining a polarization state thereof, the phase modifier providing the dithered light by introducing a variable phase delay between two orthogonal polarization components of the incident light.
A method for polarimetric state measurement across a spectral range comprising:
- (a) receiving light having a plurality of polarization components;
- (b) introducing a phase delay between a first orthogonal pair of the polarization components;
- (c) measuring parameters associated with the light after the completion of step (b);
- (d) introducing a phase delay between a second orthogonal pair of polarization components;
- (e) measuring parameters associated with the light after the completion of step (d);
- and
- (f) determining the polarization state of the light from at least some of the measured parameters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.