title: Local control of light polarization with low-temperature fiber optics.
abstract: A fiber-optic-based polarization control system that uses a backreflection measurement scheme at low temperatures has been developed. This provides a stringent test of the light polarization state at the output of the fiber, allowing for determination and control of the degree of circular polarization; i.e., it can generate linear, right, or left circular polarization with cryogenic fibers. This polarization controller is paving the way toward the control and manipulation of nuclear spins in semiconductors via the optical Overhauser effect and could be used, for example, for the purpose of quantum information processing with the large nuclear spins of GaAs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mack
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Riordon
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Talbot
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gervais
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000737:chemistry; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D005708:Gallium / Q000737:chemistry; D008027:Light; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055100:Optical Fibers; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D010825:Physics / Q000379:methods; D011789:Quantum Theory; D012107:Research Design; D012666:Semiconductors; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001152:Arsenicals; C043055:gallium arsenide; D005708:Gallium