System for control of polarization state of light and generation of light with continuously rotating linear polarization

TL;DR

This paper introduces a technique using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with acousto-optic modulators to generate and control light with arbitrary and continuously rotating polarization states, useful for scientific and technological applications.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel method for synthesizing any polarization state and achieving continuous rotation of linear polarization at variable rates.

Findings

Successfully generated arbitrary polarization states

Achieved continuous rotation of linear polarization from 1 kHz to 1 MHz

Demonstrated applications in science and technology

Abstract

We present a technique for generating light in an arbitrary polarization state. The technique is based on interference of two orthogonally polarized light beams, whose amplitudes and phases are controlled with a Mach-Zehnder inteferometer with acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) placed in each arm. We demonstrate that via control over amplitudes, phases, and frequencies of acoustic waves driving the AOMs, any polarization state can be synthesized. In particular, we demonstrate generation of linearly polarized light, whose polarization plane continuously rotates at a rate from 1~kHz to 1~MHz. Such light finds applications in science (e.g., investigations of Bloch-Siegert effect) and technology (optically-pumped magnetometers).