Optical Heterodyne Polarimeter for Studying Space-and Time-dependent State of Polarization of Light

Abstract

This paper describes an optical heterodyne polarimeter with a photodetector array by which the space- and time-dependent state of polarization (SOP) of light can be determined. Since no optical components for polarization control are used, the time response of the polarimeter is free from such components, but is basically limited to the frequency bandwidth of the photodetector array used. The signal and local oscillator beams are coherently photomixed to generate a beat photocurrent at every pixel of the photodetector array. The orthogonal linearly polarized two-frequency components of the local oscillator beam are superimposed with their respective counterpart orthogonally decomposed components of the elliptically polarized signal beam. The generated beat-photocurrent offers the significant physical parameters required for the determination of the space- and time-dependent SOP. The performance principle of the polarimeter is explained and confirmed experimentally.     

Non-diffractive Vector Bessel Beams

Abstract

The non-diffractive vector Bessel beams of an arbitrary order are examined as both the solution to the vector Helmholtz wave equation and the superposition of vector components of the angular spectrum. The transverse and longitudinal intensity components of the vector Bessel beams are analysed for the radial, azimuthal, circular and linear polarizations. The radially and azimuthally polarized beams are assumed to be formed by the axicon polarizers used with the initially unpolarized or linearly polarized light. Conditions in which the linearly polarized Bessel beams can be approximated by the scalar solutions to the wave equation are also discussed.     

Interference in the Single Photon Regime

Abstract

The two orthogonally polarized modes of a Zeeman laser can be combined at a polarizing beam-splitter to produce two outputs at the difference frequency. This paper presents some observations on these beats in the classical limit and in the single photon regime, where the mean separation of the photons exceeds the optical path length, and discusses their implications.     

Acousto-optic imaging spectropolarimetry for remote sensing

We review the operating principles of noncollinear acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTF's), emphasizing the use of two orthogonally polarized beams for narrow-band imaging. Spectral characterization and spectral broadening measurements of commercially available AOTF's agree with theoretical predictions and reveal difficulties associated with imaging noncollimated light. An AOTF imaging spectropolarimeter for ground-based astronomy that uses CCD's has been constructed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. It uses a TeO(2) noncollinear AOTF and a simple optical relay assembly to produce side-by-side orthogonally polarized spectral images. We summarize the instrument design and initial performance tests. We include sample spectral images acquired at the Goddard Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory.     

Nonparaxial analyses of cylindrical vector beams with arbitrary polarization order in the far field

Abstract

Based on the vector angular spectrum representation and the method of stationary phase, the analytical expressions for the electromagnetic fields of the cylindrical vector Laguerre–Gaussian beams with arbitrary polarization order are derived in the far field. The radially, anti-vortex and linearly polarized beams can be viewed as the special cases of our general result. The analyses indicate that the beam evolution properties and nonparaxiality are closely related to the radial mode number, the polarization order number and the ratio of the waist width to the wavelength. The high polarization order cylindrical vector beams compared with the radially polarized beams are more influenced by the nonparaxiality. This research provides a convenient approach to manipulate the cylindrical vector Laguerre–Gaussian beams by choosing the special state of polarization.     

Effects of optical feedback in a birefringence-Zeeman dual frequency laser at high optical feedback levels

Optical feedback effects are studied in a birefringence-Zeeman dual frequency laser at high optical feedback levels. The intensity modulation features of the two orthogonally polarized lights are investigated in both isotropic optical feedback (IOF) and polarized optical feedback (POF). In IOF, the intensities of both beams are modulated simultaneously, and four zones, i.e., the e-light zone, the o-light and e-light zone, the o-light zone, and the no-light zone, are formed in a period corresponding to a half laser wavelength displacement of the feedback mirror. In POF, the two orthogonally polarized lights will oscillate alternately. Strong mode competition can be observed, and it affects the phase difference between the two beams greatly. The theoretical analysis is presented, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. The potential use of the experimental results is also discussed.     

Polarization changes at Lyot depolarizer output for different types of input beams

Lyot depolarizers are optical devices made of birefringent materials used for producing unpolarized beams from totally polarized incident light. The depolarization is produced for polychromatic input beams due to the different phase introduced by the Lyot depolarizer for each wavelength. The effect of this device on other types of incident fields is investigated. In particular two cases are analyzed: (i) monochromatic and nonuniformly polarized incident beams and (ii) incident light synthesized by superposition of two monochromatic orthogonally polarized beams with different wavelengths. In the last case, it is theoretically and experimentally shown that the Lyot depolarizer increases the degree of polarization instead of depolarizes.     

Optical heterodyne detection of random electromagnetic beams

Abstract

In this paper we present a general analysis for the optical heterodyne detection of random electromagnetic beams. To describe the ensemble of quasimonochromatic beams which are partially polarized and partially coherent, we use a recently developed matrix treatment. We derive an expression for the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in terms of the beam coherence polarization matrices of the beams on the detector surface. Numerical examples are given for the SNR variation in the case of partially polarized Gaussian Schell model beams and the optimum detection is discussed in terms of beam parameters of the local oscillator.     

Biased EPR entanglement and its application to teleportation

Abstract

We consider pure continuous variable entanglement with nonequal correlations between orthogonal quadratures. We introduce a simple protocol which equates these correlations and in the process transforms the entanglement onto a state with the minimum allowed number of photons. As an example we show that our protocol transforms, through unitary local operations, a single squeezed beam split on a beam splitter into the same entanglement that is produced when two squeezed beams are mixed orthogonally. We demonstrate that this technique can in principle facilitate perfect teleportation utilizing only one squeezed beam.     

Wide angular aperture holograms in photorefractive crystals by the use of orthogonally polarized write and read beams

We demonstrate a method of simultaneous holographic recording and readout in photorefractive crystals that provides high write-read beam isolation and wide angular bandwidth. The method uses orthogonally polarized read and write beams and parallel tangent diffraction geometry near the equal curvature condition to provide spatially separable, orthogonally polarized diffracted output beams with high isolation and wide Bragg-matched angular bandwidth. The available angular bandwidth of this read-write technique is analyzed, simulated, and experimentally investigated. The measured angular bandwidth internal to the crystal is approximately 18° × 6° for our 45°-cut BaTiO(3) crystal, yet the entire hologram still demonstrates high Bragg selectivity. In contrast, traditional nonparallel-tangent geometries yield angular apertures of the order of 1° × 4°.     

Effects of birefringence on Fizeau interferometry that uses a polarization phase-shifting technique

Interferometers that use different states of polarization for the reference and the test beams can modulate the relative phase shift by using polarization optics in the imaging system. Thus the interferometer can capture simultaneous images that have a fixed phase shift, which can be used for phase-shifting interferometry. As all measurements are made simultaneously, the interferometer is not sensitive to vibration. Fizeau interferometers of this type have an advantage compared with Twyman-Green-type systems because they are common-path interferometers. However, a polarization Fizeau interferometer is not strictly common path when both wavefronts are transmitted by an optic that suffers from birefringence. The two polarized beams see different phases owing to birefringence; as a result, an error can be introduced in the measurement. We study the effect of birefringence on measurement accuracy when different polarization techniques are used in Fizeau interferometers. We demonstrate that measurement error is reduced dramatically and can be eliminated if the reference and test beams are circularly polarized rather than linearly polarized.     

Polarization separation of light beams at the interface of two mesophases

The features of reflection of the linearly polarized light beams at the interface between two regions of a nematic liquid crystal (LC) with the orthogonal director orientation have been analyzed. The relationship between light beam propagation in a LC material and polarization of laser radiation has been established. Rotation of the polarization plane of a light beam has been found for the radiation introduced through the free surface “LC—air” deformed due to the capillarity effect. The total internal reflection effect has been demonstrated experimentally together with the possibility for special separation of the orthogonally polarized light beams at the interface of two mesophases.     

Self-referenced rectangular path cyclic interferometer with polarization phase shifting

A polarization phase shifting interferometer using a cyclic path configuration for measurement of phase nonuniformities in transparent samples is presented. A cube beam splitter masked by two linear polarizers is used to split the source wavefront into two counter propagating linearly polarized beams that pass through the sample. At the output of the interferometer, the two orthogonally polarized beams are rendered circularly polarized in the opposite sense through the use of a quarter wave plate. Finally, phase shifting is achieved by rotating a linear polarizer before the recording plane. In a rectangular path interferometer, although the two counter propagating wavefronts are laterally folded with respect to each other in the interferometer arms, the beams finally emerge mutually unfolded at the output of the interferometer. This phenomenon is utilized to create a reference if the sample is introduced in one lateral half of the beam in any one of the interferometer arms. The polarization phase shifting technique is used to generate four phase-shifted interferograms, which are utilized to evaluate the phase profile of the phase sample. Experimental results presented validate the proposed technique.     

Laser wavelength tunability of a diode-pumped Nd:LiYF4 laser on the 4F3/2–4I13/2 transition

Abstract

We report a free-running orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength laser at 1313 and 1321 nm with maximum total output power of about 1.73 W using a two-mirror linear cavity. By inserting an etalon into the linear cavity, single-wavelength lasers at 1317 or 1323 nm, two-wavelength lasers at 1317 and 1323 nm, as well as four-wavelength lasers at 1313, 1317, 1323 and 1370 nm can be achieved with maximum output powers of about 0.73, 0.63, 0.78 and 0.25 W, respectively. About 10-nm wavelength tunability from about 1313 to 1323 nm is also realized by inserting the etalon into a three-mirror V-type Nd:YLF laser cavity.     

Radiation forces of highly focused radially polarized hollow sinh-Gaussian beams on a Rayleigh metallic particle

Based on the vector diffraction theory, the tight focusing properties of radially polarized hollow sinh-Gaussian (HsG) beams are theoretically studied. It is found that the radially polarized HsG beams can form a longitudinally polarized sub-wavelength focal spot. Moreover, the radiation forces acting on a Rayleigh metallic particle are calculated for the case where the radially polarized HsG beams are applied. Compared with the use of conventional Gaussian beams, the high-order radially polarized HsG beams can largely enhance the radial trap stiffness and broaden the axial trap distance. The influence of the beam order m on the focusing properties and trap stiffness is investigated in detail.     

Temperature and voltage sensings by mode‐mode interference in polarization‐maintaining optical fibers

Abstract

Two optic fiber sensing systems for temperature and voltage have been developed which utilize the mode‐mode interference of the two orthogonally polarized modes, HE^x _II and HE^y _II, in two commencal polarization‐maintaining fibers (bow‐tie and elliptical core fibers). A package of controlled programs in a Macintosh computer, which can record and process all related data automatically, is established for temperature sensing. The signal drifting problem in voltage sensings has been investigated, and the elimination of signal drifting is obtained by the phase tracking with direct current technology The agreement between the sensing results for temperature and dynamic voltage and those predicted by experimental principles is satisfactory, which confirms the validity of the developed sensing systems.     

Reflection and non-specular effects of 2D gaussian beams in interfaces between isotropic and uniaxial anisotropic media

Abstract

In the present paper bidimensional Gaussian linearly polarized beams, which are incident on an interface between an isotropic medium and a non-absorbing non-magnetic uniaxial crystal are considered. The relation between the reflection coefficients and the non-specular effects are studied. The expressions for the first order effects in the case of a beam linearly polarized in a plane perpendicular to the one containing the crystal optical axis and the normal to the interface are analytically determined. Two highly symmetric geometries are analysed and the results are compared to those obtained with isotropic interfaces.     

Self-polarization of protons in storage rings

It has been proposed that stored proton or heavy ion beams can be polarized by spatially separating particles with opposite spin directions, using the Stern-Gerlach effect in alternating quadrupole fields. The growth rate of the vertival betatron amplitude is calculated for beam halves with opposite polarizations rotating in the horizontal plane, at intrinsic spin resonance aγ ± ν_y = integer. This polarization method would work best with rings having large diameter, low vertical emittance, low vertical betatron tune, and strong superconducting quadrupoles. Provided that suitable strong quadrupoles exist, the method might advantageously replace the present technique for obtaining polarized proton or heavy ion beams, where low energy polarized beams are first generated by a source and then accelerated through numerous depolarizing resonances up to the final energy. Although the proposed self-polarization in the present colliders and storage rings might be impractically slow, it is shown that in a purpose-built machine the vertical splitting rate of the beam might be reasonably fast compared with the beam blowup or decay.     

Polarization-dependent narrowband spectral filtering by chiral sculptured thin films

Abstract

We analyse theoretically transmission through two layers of different thin-film helicoidal bianisotropic mediums (TFHBMs), wherein the pitch of each layer bears a precisely determined relation to the overall thickness of the bi-layer. A spectral hole emerges from the interaction of the circular Bragg regimes of both TFHBM layers. Our results generalize a recently discovered scheme for producing spectral holes in fibre-Bragg gratings, with which comparison is made. The proposed TFHBM bi-layers may be useful for the simultaneous production of oppositely polarized beams with narrow bandwidths and a specific amplitude splitting ratio.