Robust Free-Space Optical Communication Utilizing Polarization

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that polarization states of light are preserved through turbulent underwater bubbles, suggesting robust potential for free-space optical communication in challenging environments.

Contribution

The study provides experimental and simulation evidence that polarization remains stable through turbulence, offering a new approach for reliable FSO communication.

Findings

Polarization is preserved through underwater bubbles causing turbulence.

Experimental results align with simulations modeling underwater and atmospheric turbulence.

Potential for improved polarization-based FSO communication schemes.

Abstract

Free-space optical (FSO) communication can be subject to various types of distortion and loss as the signal propagates through non-uniform media. In experiment and simulation, we demonstrate that the state of polarization and degree of polarization of light passed though underwater bubbles, causing turbulence, is preserved. Our experimental setup serves as an efficient, low cost alternative approach to long distance atmospheric or underwater testing. We compare our experimental results with those of simulations, in which we model underwater bubbles, and separately, atmospheric turbulence. Our findings suggest potential improvements in polarization based FSO communication schemes.