Abstract

We demonstrate a novel electrooptic polarization controller with an inherently unlimited transformation range, which, unlike previously reported schemes of cascaded polarization controllers with limited transformation ranges,¹ allows reset-free endless polarization control via simple analog feedback loops. The LiNbO₃ transformer, which we previously proposed in Ref. 2, operates with a birefringent single-mode waveguide and is composed of three distributed and periodically interleaved phase retarders: a TE-TM phase shifter driven by a voltage Vp; a first TE—TM mode converter driven by Vc; and a second TE-TM mode converter driven by V_s.

© 1990 Optical Society of America