Polarization Analyzer series SK010PA

First setup: Optimization of the alignment of the polarization axis during fiber-coupling.

The procedure starts with the recording of polarization states ex fiber while the fiber is carefully bended, to cause the exit polarization to fluctuate. A circle is then automatically fitted to the data points on the Poincaré sphere, and the mean and minimal PER are displayed.

The radius of this circle indicates the quality of the ­alignment, since it shows the angle deviation between the fiber polarization axis and the linear SOP of the incoming radiation. For an optimally aligned ideal fiber, the data circle converges to a single point, the center of the circle.

For a non-optimum alignment the circle on the Poincaré sphere has a large radius at first.  

During continuous measurement of the SOP ex fiber, the polarization axis of the source is rotated with respect to the fiber axis, here using a half-wave plate. 

Second Setup: Alignment and Quantification of retardation optics  

The SK010 Polarization Analyzer can be used to align and quantify retardation optics, e.g. fiber collimators with integrated quarter-wave plates series 60FC-Q.

The outcome polarization is adjusted by rotating the quarter-wave plate with respect to the input polarization. A full rotation corresponds to a figure-of-eight on the Poincaré sphere. Circularly polarized light is set when the poles are reached: right-handed circular polarization at the north pole, and left-handed polarization at the south pole.