Environmentally stable nonlinear optical polarization switching by using a nonreciprocal all‐optical circuit

Abstract

We proposed and demonstrated a stable nonlinear optical polarization self‐switching based on nonreciprocal nonlinear phase shift induced by self‐phase modulation in optical fiber. The polarization self‐switching was achieved at input power levels of around 10 mW in a nonreciprocal circuit using Faraday rotator mirrors. This nonlinear polarization switching is quite stable against polarization fluctuation caused by environmental perturbation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 2056–2059, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24548