High-speed fiber-optic polarization analyzer: measurements of the polarization dynamics of an erbium-doped fiber ring laser

Accurate measurements of fluctuating states of polarization (SOP) require determinations of the Stokes parameters on shorter time-scales than those of the fluctuations. For light sources that generate very rapid polarization and intensity fluctuations, such as erbium-doped fiber ring lasers (EDFRLs), conventional polarization analyzers are not sufficient. We describe a technique for measuring rapidly fluctuating states of polarization using a fiber-optic polarization analyzer. SOP fluctuations at rates up to 125 MHz can be accurately measured, a rate limited by the detection equipment (photodiodes and oscilloscope). Using the polarization analyzer, experimental measurements are made which provide new insights into the rapid polarization dynamics of an EDFRL. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.