Feed-forward continuous and complete polarization control with a PLZT rotatable-variable waveplate and inline polarimeter

A Pb/sub 1-x/La/sub x/(Zr/sub y/Ti/sub z/)/sub 1-x/4/O/sub 3/ (PLZT) electrooptic ceramic variable-rotatable waveplate and a compact inline polarimeter have been used to develop a fast feed-forward-controlled module for the continuous and complete conversion of polarization. This requires the control of only two parameters: the direction /spl theta/ and strength of the applied voltage V/sub 0/. Feed-forward control speed is fast, taking only 24 /spl mu/s. The chip plates were made by cutting T-shaped trenches into the four sides of a 500/spl times/400/spl times/300-/spl mu/m/sup 3/ PLZT chip and coating the trenches with electrodes. The PLZT waveplate is inserted into a 330-/spl mu/m gap between thermally expanded core fibers. The input polarization states are monitored by a newly developed compact and fast inline polarimeter, which is placed in front of the polarization controller. The optimum /spl theta/ and V/sub 0/ values for the required conversion are calculated by a computer, and the corresponding voltages are then applied to PLZT waveplate.