Polarization-Independent Depolarizer for Control and Supervisory Signals in Long-Haul Fiber Lines

Based on rotating electrooptic waveplates in LiNbO3, we present a polarization-independent, broadband optic depolarizer. Residual degree-of-polarization is ≤0.1 or even ≤0.012. Depolarization interval can be as low as 360 ns for 2 waveplates, or, with increased robustness, 720 ns for 3 waveplates.