Polarisation dynamics of a birefringent Fabry–Perot cavity

Optical Fabry–Perot cavities always show a non-degeneracy of two orthogonal polarisation states. This is due to the unavoidable birefringence of dielectric mirrors whose effects are extremely important in Fabry–Perot-based high-accuracy polarimeters: in birefringent cavities, ellipticities and rotat...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied physics. B, Lasers and optics Vol. 124; no. 2; pp. 1 - 10
Main Authors Ejlli, A, Della Valle, F, Zavattini, G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.02.2018
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects
Applied physics
Birefringence
Engineering
Holes
Lasers
Optical Devices
Optics
Photonics
Physical Chemistry
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Polarimeters
Polarization
Quantum Optics
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Optical Fabry–Perot cavities always show a non-degeneracy of two orthogonal polarisation states. This is due to the unavoidable birefringence of dielectric mirrors whose effects are extremely important in Fabry–Perot-based high-accuracy polarimeters: in birefringent cavities, ellipticities and rotations mix. We have developed and present here a theory of the polarisation state dynamics in a birefringent Fabry–Perot resonator, and we validate it through measurements performed with the polarimeter of the PVLAS experiment. The measurements are performed while a laser is frequency-locked to the cavity, and provide values for the phase difference between the two orthogonal polarisation components introduced by the combination of the two cavity mirrors (equivalent wave-plate) and for the finesse of the cavity. The theoretical formulas and the experimental data agree well showing that the consequences of the mirror birefringence must be taken into account in this and in any other similar experiment.
ISSN:0946-2171
1432-0649
DOI:10.1007/s00340-018-6891-3