Secondary-phase-modulation method for open-loop fiber-optic gyroscopes

A proposed method of secondary phase modulation for open-loop fiber-optic gyroscopes is examined in general terms. To detect the rotation rate of a system through a beat-frequency channel, we employ linearly combined signals with different frequencies for the optical phase modulation. We find that the proper combinations of the modulation frequencies can optimize the sensitivity of gyroscopes. With this method we can employ a high-frequency band for optical phase modulations while keeping relative a lower-frequency band of the detection channel. The theoretically derived result is experimentally confirmed by using a lithium-niobate (LiNbO(3)) optical phase modulator. We also discuss the combination setup with an optical integrated-circuit device and digital signal processing.     

Pseudorandom phase-only encoding of real-time spatial light modulators

We previously proposed a method of mapping full-complex spatial modulations into phase-only modulations. The Fourier transform of the encoded modulations approximates that of the original complex modulations. The amplitude of each pixel is encoded by the property that the amplitude of a random-phasor sum is reduced corresponding to its standard deviation. Pseudorandom encoding is designed for phase-only spatial light modulators that produce 360° phase shifts. Because such devices are rare, experiments are performed with a 326°modulator composed of two In Focus model TVT6000 liquid-crystal displays. Qualitative agreement with theory is achieved despite several nonideal properties of the modulator.     

Near-lossless continuous phase modulation using the analog switching mode (V-shaped switching) in ferroelectric liquid crystals

The analog switching mode in ferroelectric liquid crystals, sometimes referred to as 'V-shaped switching,' has, thanks to its submillisecond switching capability, attracted much interest for future fast electro-optic displays where it is to be used for amplitude modulation. We have studied this mode for analog phase-only modulation. As V-shaped switching is based on a conical motion of the index ellipsoid this presents a challenging problem since both the orientation of the slow and fast axes, as well as the amount of birefringence varies in the switching process. We show theoretically, partly by means of Poincaré sphere analysis, that it is in fact possible to obtain near-lossless analog phase modulation between zero and pi radians in an ideal V-shaped switching cell through careful tuning of the polarization state of the input light. Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate this experimentally in a fabricated cell. Although this cell deviated slightly from the ideal conditions, e.g., the tilt cone half-angle was 38 degrees instead of the desired 45 degrees , we still obtained a continuous phase modulation between zero and 0.78pi rad with less than 2% modulation of the amplitude; the measured values agree very well with our numerical simulations of the real device.     

弹光调制器谐振特性研究及其谐振频率自跟踪

弹光调制器是一种由各向同性的弹光晶体和压电晶体组成的高品质因数热机电耦合器件,广泛用于偏振测量、光谱测量等诸多领域。但是在高压谐振状态下,其谐振频率会随着温度变化出现漂移,导致弹光调制器的相位调制幅值不稳定以及驱动效率降低。针对该问题,首先对弹光调制器谐振频率特性进行分析,建立了弹光调制器及其高压谐振驱动电路的复合谐振网络模型,提出了利用谐振网络的幅频特性进行频率跟踪的实现方法,并设计了基于现场可编程门阵列(field programmable gate array,FPGA)的控制测试系统,实现了谐振频率跟踪以及调制幅度的测量。通过测试验证了该方案可有效进行谐振频率跟踪,提高了弹光调制器的稳定性以及驱动效率,测试时长大于90 min,相位调制幅度的标准偏差为0.83% rad。

     

Blind carrier phase recovery for general quadrature amplitude modulation constellations

A new blind carrier phase reconstruction method that can be applied to both square- and cross-suppressed-carrier L-ary quadrature amplitude modulations (QAMs) is proposed. This method is based on a special phase metric that performs an absolute minimum for the carrier phase offset. In particular, it does not require any modification of the modulation structure. As a result, the non-coherent detection process is easy even for modulations with large QAM constellations. Simulation results will demonstrate the good performance of the estimator described, which is superior to that of conventional blind phase estimation methods.     

Optical modulation techniques for length sensing and control of optical cavities

We present a discussion of the use of amplitude modulation techniques with regard to the length sensing and control of optical cavities for laser interferometric gravitational-wave detectors. Traditional radio-frequency amplitude modulation techniques automatically include phase modulation as a product of the modulation process, which can contaminate the signal after demodulation. In particular, with many length-sensing and control schemes the detected signals are demodulated in quadrature, which, in the case of a traditional amplitude modulation scheme, will result in offsets due to the additional phase modulation. We demonstrate this effect using a simple optical cavity configuration and show that minor adjustments to the modulator system can be used to compensate for the extra modulation components and provide additional flexibility.     

Loss-induced phase-sensitive spatial light modulator with a wide field of view

We investigate the feasibility of achieving practical phase modulation by changing only the absorption of the device. We present a spatial light modulator that consists of a three-mirror cavity with lossy slabs inserted between the mirrors. When only the absorption of these slabs is changed, this device can have a gradual change in phase, but no intensity modulation. Theoretical analysis by the use of numbers appropriate to multiple quantum wells shows that the total phase-tuning range can be as large as 2π with an absorption coefficient change of less than 9000 cm(-1); the length of each multiple-quantum-well slab is ~ 1.5 μm. This gives an expected 16° field of view with the nanosecond speed typical of semiconductors.     

Optical lens design based on metallic nanoslits with variant widths

Designs of optical lenses based on metallic nanoslits are carried out based on the phase and amplitude modulation by tuning the slit widths. The slits are perforated on thin metallic film, and the width of each slit is achieved by simulated annealing algorithms, which is connected with both the amplitude and phase modulation. Two kinds of focal lenses, which can realize one or two focus points, have been designed. The finite-difference time-domain method is employed to check the performance of the designed lenses. Simulation results show that the designed lenses can perform the preset functions well. Using this method, multiple optical elements with different functions can be conveniently achieved in subwavelength scale.     

Two-dimensional grating light modulator for projection display

A novel two-dimensional (2D) phase grating light modulator for projection display is proposed. It consists of an upper moveable grating, a bottom mirror, and four supporting posts between them. After the driving voltage is applied to the modulator, the upper grating will move down, which induces a phase difference and, therefore, leads to a controlled variation of its diffraction pattern. Optical characteristics of the modulator and the modulator array are analyzed with Fourier optics theory. The analysis shows the incident light will be switched from its zero order diffraction fringe to the first order diffraction fringe when the phase difference between the moveable grating and the bottom mirror changes from 2 pi to pi. The diffraction pattern of the light modulator array is the coherent superposition of all single modulators. A 16 x 16 modulator array is fabricated by surface micromachining technology. The test result shows that the device works well when it is actuated by a voltage with a 1 kHz frequency and 10V amplitude. Both theoretical analysis and experiment results indicate that the 2D phase grating light modulator has potential application in a projection display system.     

Phase retrieval via spatial light modulator phase modulation in 4f optical setup: numerical inverse imaging with sparse regularization for phase and amplitude

The 4f optical setup is considered with a wave field modulation by a spatial light modulator located in the focal plane of the first lens. Phase as well as amplitude of the wave field are reconstructed from noisy multiple-intensity observations. The reconstruction is optimal due to a constrained maximum likelihood formulation of the problem. The proposed algorithm is iterative with decoupling of the inverse of the forward propagation of the wave field and the filtering of phase and amplitude. The sparse modeling of phase and amplitude enables the advanced high-accuracy filtering and sharp imaging of the complex-valued wave field. Artifacts typical for the conventional algorithms (wiggles, ringing, waves, etc.) and attributed to optical diffraction can be suppressed by the proposed algorithm.     

Encoding amplitude information onto phase-only filters

We report a new, to our knowledge, technique for encoding amplitude information onto a phase-only filter with a single liquid-crystal spatial light modulator. In our approach we spatially modulate the phase that is encoded onto the filter and, consequently, spatially modify the diffraction efficiency of the filter. Light that is not diffracted into the first order is sent into the zero order, effectively allowing for amplitude modulation of either the first-order or the zero-order diffracted light. This technique has several applications in both optical pattern recognition and image processing, including amplitude modulation and inverse filters. Experimental results are included for the new technique.     

Diffraction-based determination of the phase modulation for general spatial light modulators

We describe a characterization method based on diffraction for obtaining the phase response of spatial light modulators (SLMs), which in general exhibit both amplitude and phase modulation. Compared with the conventional interferometer-based approach, the method is characterized by a simple setup that enables in situ measurements, allows for substantial mechanical vibration, and permits the use of a light source with a fairly low temporal coherence. The phase determination is possible even for a SLM with a full amplitude modulation depth, i.e., even if there are nulls in the amplitude transmission characteristic of the SLM. The method successfully determines phase modulation values in the full 2pi rad range with high accuracy. The experimental work includes comparisons with interferometer measurements as well as a SLM characterization with a light-emitting diode (LED).     

Interferometric polarization control

We develop the Jones and Mueller matrices for structures that allow control of the path length difference between two linear orthogonal polarizations and consider the effect of placing multiple devices in series. Specifically, we find that full polarization modulation (measurement of Stokes Q, U, and V) can be achieved by placing two such modulators in series if the relative angles of the beam-splitting grids with respect to the analyzer orientation are appropriately chosen. Such a device has several potential advantages over a spinning wave plate modulator for measuring astronomical polarization in the far infrared through millimeter: (i) The use of small, linear motions eliminates the need for cryogenic rotational bearings; (ii) the phase flexibility allows measurement of circular as well as linear polarization; and (iii) this architecture allows for both multiwavelength and broadband modulation. We also present initial laboratory results.     

动态可调谐超表面的研究进展与应用

超表面能够对电磁波的偏振、振幅和相位等物理参量进行前所未有的调控,微纳加工技术的发展进一步推动了超表面在显示、成像、传感、防伪、光场调控等领域的应用前景。然而,大多数超表面缺乏动态调控,限制了其应用范围。近年来超表面的动态调控研究也取得了一些重要进展,本文将主要介绍当前超表面动态调控的主要机制,包括电调控、热调控、光调控、机械调控、化学调控等,综述了国内外学者在超表面动态调控方面的研究进展。此外,本文还对动态超表面在成像、显示、光场调控等领域的应用进行了概述,阐述了其重要意义和应用前景。最后本文总结了当前可调超表面的主要问题及未来发展方向。

     

Analysis of the dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulator-based equivalent phase modulation

In a dual polarization quadrature phase shift keyed (DP-QPSK) modulator, it is desired that one dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder (MZ) modulator in it is operated as a phase modulator (PM) to achieve some functions in conjunction with the other dual-parallel MZ modulator. Equivalent phase modulation is realized by controlling the bias points of a dual-parallel MZ modulator. If the parameters are accurately set, it functions as a true PM. However, the amplitude imbalance and the different arrival time of the two RF signals applied to the dual-parallel MZ modulator, and the deviations of the three bias points in the dual-parallel MZ modulator influence the performance of the equivalent phase modulator (e-PM). In this paper, we study the influences of these non-ideal factors on the performance of the e-PM. The results show important guidelines for significance for the further use of the dual-parallel MZ modulator-based equivalent phase modulation in a DP-QPSK modulator.     

Saturated semiconductor optical amplifier phase modulation for long range laser radar applications

We investigate the use of a semiconductor optical amplifier operated in the saturation regime as a phase modulator for long range laser radar applications. The nature of the phase and amplitude modulation resulting from a high peak power Gaussian pulse, and the impact this has on the ideal pulse response of a laser radar system, is explored. We also present results of a proof-of-concept laboratory demonstration using phase-modulated pulses to interrogate a stationary target.     

Design and analysis of a phase modulator based on a metal-polymer-silicon hybrid plasmonic waveguide

A plasmonic-hybrid-waveguide-based optical phase modulator is proposed and analyzed. The field enhancement in the low-index high-nonlinear polymer layer provides nanoscale optical confinement and a fast optical modulation speed. At 2.5 V drive voltage, a π phase shift can be obtained for a 13-μm-long plasmonic waveguide. Because of its small capacitance and parasitic resistance, the modulation bandwidth can reach up to 100 GHz with a low power consumption of ～9 fJ/bit. The plasmonic waveguide is connected to a silicon wire waveguide via an adiabatic taper with a coupling efficiency of ～91%. The phase modulator can find potential applications in optical telecommunication and interconnects.     

Encoding amplitude and phase information onto a binary phase-only spatial light modulator

We report what to our knowledge is a new technique for encoding both amplitude and phase information onto a single binary-valued spatial light modulator. In our approach, we spatially modulate the diffraction efficiency of the filter. Light that is not diffracted into the first order is sent into the zero order, effectively allowing amplitude modulation of either the first-order or zero-order diffracted light. This technique has applications in both optical pattern recognition and image processing. Experimental results are included.     

Characterization of the phase modulation property of a free-space electro-optic modulator by interframe intensity correlation matrix

Characterization of a phase modulator or phase shifter has always been an integral part of phase-modulating or phase-adjusting applications. We propose a simplified approach to characterize a phase modulator by investigating the performance of phase shifts from grabbed interferograms using the phase extraction method. After reviewing some phase analysis techniques, the interframe intensity correlation (IIC) matrix method is introduced to the investigation. The proposed strategy is illustrated by the measurement of a free-space electro-optic modulator (EOM). Placing the modulator in one arm of a Michelson interferometer, the global phase shifts are estimated by the IIC method from the phase-stepped interferograms. Experimental results demonstrate the tested EOM has a phase modulation response of at least 2π rad with a π/20 rad modulation precision for λ=1064 nm. In addition, our method is applicable to various types of phase modulator or phase shifter calibration, e.g., electro-optic phase modulator, spatial light modulator, or piezoelectric transducer (PZT).     

Implementation of single-beam multiplexing encoding with a dually modulated spatial light modulator

We propose a novel method for signal storage and encryption, called single-beam multiplexing encoding. The single beam is composed of an inside signal beam and an outside reference beam. The signal beam is amplitude modulated, and the reference beam is phase modulated. The dual modulation is implemented by a spatial light modulator (SLM). Multiplexing holography with different reference beams from different directions, called directional multiplexing, is analyzed in detail. With an SLM based on a twisted nematic liquid crystal display, we demonstrate a single-beam directional multiplexing method using a holographic encoding technique, and the retrieved signals are presented. This encoding system is more stable, miniaturized, and flexible. It should be of great interest for applications in signal encryption as well as for high-capacity data storage.