Electronically controlled polarization beat length in Kerr nonlinear media

Artorix De La Cruz,Montasir Qasymeh,Jaromir Pistora,Michael Cada

doi:10.1016/j.rinp.2021.104232

Artorix De La Cruz, Montasir Qasymeh + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinp.2021.104232

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Abstract

The polarization beat length of propagating optical fields in nonlinear birefringent Kerr medium is investigated in the presence of an externally applied DC electric field. We show that the critical power, at which the effective polarization beat length becomes infinite, can be controlled through adjusting the externally applied electric field. The principle of operation is based on modifying the polarization instability by electronically adjusting the effective birefringence through an external electrical bias. The presented analytical expressions describe the beat length and the polarization instability as a function of the applied electric field for an arbitrary optical input state.

Highlights

Polarization instability in a medium arises when the nonlinear change of the refractive index is comparable with the linear birefringence
In a nonlinear medium, such as the Kerr medium, the LeBff length becomes infinite at a critical input power for a propagating light that is polarized along the fast axis [1,2,3]
It follows that a substantial change in the output polarization state is observed when the input power is slightly differing

Summary

Introduction

Polarization instability in a medium arises when the nonlinear change of the refractive index is comparable with the linear birefringence. In a nonlinear medium, such as the Kerr medium, the LeBff length becomes infinite at a critical input power for a propagating light that is polarized along the fast axis [1,2,3]. In [28], the authors have studied the impact of applying a DC electric field (i.e., Eext), to a third-order nonlinear medium, on the evolution of propagating optical waves.

Results

Conclusion