Elasto-optic alignment of birefringent axes in polarization-holding optical fiber

Abstract

A nondestructive technique for the accurate alignment of the birefringent axes of high-birefringence optical fibers at an arbitrary position is demonstrated by using an elasto-optic effect. Alignment accuracy of less than 0.5° is achieved, and the slow and fast birefringent axes can be easily distinguished. A high-birefringence-fiber directional coupler with less than -28 dB polarization cross coupling, constructed by using this technique, is described.