Multi-band polarization switch based on magnetic fluid filled dual-core photonic crystal fiber

Abstract

The research of high-performance polarization controllers is of great significance for expanding the application field of polarization optics. Here, a polarization switch is demonstrated by using a dual-core photonic crystal fiber (DCPCF) with four symmetrical air holes, placed above and below each core, filled with magnetic fluid (MF). The switch, which utilizes a magnetic field to change the coupling length ratio of the x and y polarization modes, enables dynamic tuning of the polarization state and extinction ratio. Numerical results show that when the working length is 36.638 mm, the magneto–optical polarization switch can operate in four communication bands, i.e., 1509 nm to 1520 nm, 1544 nm to 1556 nm, 1578 nm to 1591 nm, and 1611 nm to 1624 nm. Moreover, the extinction ratio (ER) is greater than 20 dB in the fiber length range of 38.5 mm to 38.7 mm, indicating that the device has a good fault tolerance for the interception of the fiber length.