Abstract
We present a novel design for a Sagnac loop filter (SLF) whose periodic output spectrum can be fully
controlled by cascading a small-birefringence loop (SBL) with a high-birefringence loop (HBL).We develop
a detailed theoretical analysis, using the Jones vector method, to calculate the transfer function of the
tunable SLF. It has been quantitatively shown that both the transmission coefficient and the phase of the
SLF can be controlled by adjusting the orientation angle of the birefringent axes of the SBL in the plane
of polarization. The theory has been confirmed by experimental results where a stress-induced SBL was
mechanically rotated to tune both the wavelength and the power of a periodic output spectrum. Such a
tunable SLF is used in the design of a multiwavelength erbium-doped fiber laser in the C band.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 5242-5252 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Applied Optics |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 29 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2008 |
Keywords
- sagnac loop filter
- small-birefringence loop
- high-birefringence loop
- fiber laser