BROAD-BAND RESET-FREE AUTOMATIC POLARIZATION CONTROLLER

A novel electro-optic polarisation controller is proposed and demonstrated that allows reset-free endless polarisation transformations between any two varying general polarisation states. The 1.5-mu-m controller is realised with standard lithium niobate waveguides, has an optical bandwidth in the order of tens of nanometres, and is electrically tunable over a wide wavelength range. Automatic polarisation control with an entirely analogue electronic feedback loop is demonstrated.