What Are Fiber Optic Isolators?
By Colin Yao
Why do we need fiber optic isolator?
Light can be reflected back and forth. This is also true in fiber optic communication
networks. But in fiber optic networks, most of the reflections are harmful to the
stability of the system which is especially true for lasers.
Laser is essentially a resonant cavity between two semi-transparent mirrors. The lasing
process happens between these two mirrors. The lasing process is very delicate and can be
easily interfered. If back-reflected and scattered light enters into the laser, the lasing
process will fluctuate and the output power of the laser will fluctuate.
So that is where fiber optic isolator comes to play. Optical isolators are devices that
transmit light only in one direction. They play a vital role in fiber optic systems by
stopping back-reflection and scattered light from reaching sensitive components,
particularly lasers.
How do optical isolators work?
The inside workings of optical isolators depend on polarization. An isolator is
composed of a pair of linear polarizers and a Faraday rotator.
The two linear polarizers are oriented so the planes in which they polarize light are
45° apart. The Faraday rotator sits between these two polarizers. The Faraday rotator
rotates the plane of the polarization of light by 45° in a single direction no matter the
light traveling direction, may it be from the first polarizer(left) or the second polarizer(right).
So if the light goes from the first polarizer to the second polarizer (from left to
right). The Faraday rotator will rotate the polarized light from the first polarizer by
45° which exactly matches the polarization plane of the second polarizer. So the light
will go through with minimum loss.
But if the light goes from the second polarizer to the first polarizer (from right to
left). The Faraday rotator will rotate the polarized light from the second polarizer also
by 45°. But since it rotates the light as the same direction as from left to right, this
time when the rotated light gets to the first polarizer, the polarization planes of the
polarized light and the first polarizer are 90° cross. So all light are blocked and no
light will go through.
From above mentioned principles, you see that fiber optic isolators transmit light only
in one direction and they work like a one way street.
Polarization Dependent Isolator and Polarization Independent Isolator
In reality, the aforementioned isolator working principle is called polarization
dependent isolator. Why? Since the first linear polarizer cuts the input light in half
with its polarizing effect. So in order to achieve minimum loss, you would have to align
the polarization of your input light to the same polarization as the first polarizer.
In order to overcome this limitation of polarization dependence, optical isolators have
been developed which are polarization independent. That is, regardless of the polarization
state of the input beam, the beam will propagate through the isolator to the output fiber
and the reflected beam will be isolated from the optical source.
Colin Yao is an expert on fiber optic communication technologies and products. Learn more about
cable pulling socks,
cable pulling grips,
cable pulling tips on Fiber Optics For Sale Co. web site.
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