POLARIZED SUPERFLUORESCENT FIBER SOURCES

We report the theoretical and experimental performance of new, linearl y polarized superfluorescent fiber sources (SFS). Internal polarizatio n is produced either by splicing a fiber polarizer at an optimum locat ion along a standard Er-doped SFS or by using a single-polarization Er -doped fiber. Numerical simulations predict that when operated in the backward, forward, or double-pass configuration, these SFSs produce ne arly twice the power in the desired linear polarization as a standard, unpolarized SFS. This efficiency figure depends weakly on the polariz er location and extinction ratio, but requires a low polarizer inserti on loss (< 0.5 dB). Laboratory prototypes of a backward and a forward polarized SFS are presented that exhibit a power output in the desired linear polarization about 1.75 times larger than that of an unpolariz ed SFS, and an extinction ratio in excess of 17.5 dB. (C) 1998 Academi c Press.