A fiber Kerr effect polarization state generator for temporally multiplexed polarimetric ladar

Abstract

We present, mathematically and experimentally, a novel temporally multiplexed polarimetric LADAR (TMP-LADAR) architecture which is capable of characterizing the polarimetric properties (Mueller matrix elements) of a target using a single 10 ns laser pulse. By exploiting the Kerr nonlinear optical effect, birefringence within an optical fiber can be modulated based on the instantaneous intensity of the input laser pulse, which results in temporally varying polarization states within the laser pulse exiting the fiber. We introduce a model that describes the varying polarization of a laser pulse through an optical fiber and experimentally verify the operation of this novel polarization state generator (PSG).