1 research outputs found
Properties of a Variable-delay Polarization Modulator
We investigate the polarization modulation properties of a variable-delay
polarization modulator (VPM). The VPM modulates polarization via a variable
separation between a polarizing grid and a parallel mirror. We find that in the
limit where the wavelength is much larger than the diameter of the metal wires
that comprise the grid, the phase delay derived from the geometric separation
between the mirror and the grid is sufficient to characterize the device.
However, outside of this range, additional parameters describing the polarizing
grid geometry must be included to fully characterize the modulator response. In
this paper, we report test results of a VPM at wavelengths of 350 microns and 3
mm. Electromagnetic simulations of wire grid polarizers were performed and are
summarized using a simple circuit model that incorporates the loss and
polarization properties of the device.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures, accepted by Applied Optic