Abstract:
PURPOSE: To obtain a polarized light modulator having simple structure, compact size and high speed operation by receiving light from a 1st or 2nd passage by a 1st or 2nd input part, transmitting the received light to an output part and changing the polarized state of a modulation signal consisting of output light in accordance with the level of a data signal. CONSTITUTION: Horizontally polarized light oscillated in a horizontal surface is inputted from an input part P1 to a switch 6 and outputted from an output part P2 or P4. In this case, the light is outputted from the output part P2 or P4 in accordance with the logical value '0' or '1' of a sequence bit outputted from an encoder 7. The state of polarized light outputted from the output part is always the same as polarized light state of a signal inputted to the input part of the switch 6. Namely vertically polarized light or horizontally polarized light is outputted in accordance with the logical value '0' or '1' of the sequence bit of information. The obtained polarized modulation signal is demodulated by a receiver in a communication system. Consequently the polarized light modulator having simple and compact size and extremely short switching time can transmit a signal at a transmission speed of G bits/sec.
Abstract:
The interferometer makes use of an acousto-optic device (11, 21) to perform a frequency shift of the beam sent along one of the interferometer branches, so as to allow the determination of the state of polarization by heterodyne radiofrequency detection. The acousto-optic deuce can be inserted downstream the means (8) splitting the beam emitted by the source (1) into the two beams sent along the two interferometer branches, or it can also act as the beam splitter.