Analysis and experiment of thin metal-clad fiber polarizer with index overlay

Fiber polarizers, based on side-polished single-mode fibers covered with a deposited thin metal film and index overlay, were investigated by us. By modeling their interaction region as a layered planar structure and using the quasi-ray-optic method, we theoretically examined the resonant absorption of light in this structure. In such an approach, the characteristics of fiber polarizers can be found without solving the refractive index of any surface plasmon mode. Fiber polarizers with different liquid overlays were presented by us and polarization extinction ratio about 60 dB was achieved. Our theoretical analyzes agreed with experimental results. The advantages of our approach are discussed.