Fiber-optic polarizer using birefringent crystal as a cladding

Abstract

A new type of fiber-optic polarizer has been developed in which the birefringent material is formed around the core fiber as a cladding. A NaNO(3) single crystal is used as the birefringent material. The extinction ratios for the polarized light are measured for fibers with cores of various radii and claddings of various lengths. The extinction ratios obtained are typically 31.2 dB for a core diameter of 6 µm and a cladding length of 6 mm.