Analysis of input-polarization-induced phase noise in interferometric fiber-optic sensors and its reduction using polarization scrambling

The dependence of the phase shift of an interferometric fiber sensor on the input state of polarization is analyzed, and it is shown that fluctuations in the input polarization to a fiber interferometer can lead to the generation of excess phase noise. The relationship between this effect and the variation in visibility with input polarization is described and theoretically confirmed. The use of depolarized source light to eliminate input-polarization-induced excess phase noise is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated.<
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