Title :
Surface plasmon-polariton fiber-optic polarizers using thin chromium films
Author :
Zervas, Michael N.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electron. & Electr. Eng., Univ. Coll. London, UK
Abstract :
High-quality optical fiber polarizers have been fabricated by depositing thin chromium films thermally onto polished fibers. Surface plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves which are supported by the thin chromium films are optically excited by evanescent field interaction with the propagating fundamental fiber mode and utilized as the polarization selective mechanism. Transverse-magnetic-like polarized light is extinguished when precise phase-matching conditions with the symmetric-bound SPP mode are achieved. The transverse-electric-like polarization, on the other hand, passes through with minimal losses. Devices with polarization extinction ratio in excess of 50 dB and insertion losses less than 1 dB are demonstrated.<>
Keywords :
chromium; fibre optics; metallic thin films; optical polarisers; polaritons; surface plasmons; 1 dB; TE mode light; TM mode light; evanescent field interaction; fiber-optic polarizers; insertion losses; optical fiber polarizers; optically excited; phase-matching conditions; polarization extinction ratio; polarization selective mechanism; polished fibers; propagating fundamental fiber mode; surface plasmon-polaritons; symmetric-bound SPP mode; thin Cr films; Chromium; Frequency conversion; Optical fiber devices; Optical fiber polarization; Optical fibers; Optical films; Optical frequency conversion; Optical propagation; Optical surface waves; Surface waves;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
