Low-frequency and high-frequency all-fiber modulators based on birefringence modulation

In-line optical modulators with low insertion losses and high maximum optic al powers are required for Q switching and cavity dumping of fiber lasers a s well as for nonlinear optical-fiber experiments. We report the design of polarimetric all-fiber modulators based on optical-fiber birefringence modu lation combined with an all-fiber polarizer. Birefringence modulation invol ves a piezoelectric ceramic tube. This simple technique permits efficient l ow-frequency and high-frequency harmonic modulation, up to the megahertz ra nge, as well as modulation of pulses shorter than 1 mu s. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America.