title: Polarization-switchable Q-switched DFB fiber laser.
abstract: A polarization switchable Q-switched distributed feedback (DFB) fiber laser is presented. This what we believe to be a new Q-switching method allows one to obtain linearly polarized laser emission in either x or y direction. The principle of this method is based on a variable birefringent phase shift induced by a lateral stress applied at a precise location along a fiber Bragg grating by a specially designed hyper-elastic device. A piezoelectric actuator controls the amount of stress delivered to the fiber, thus allowing a precise and rapid tuning of the cavity Q-factor.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Optique Photonique et Laser (COPL), Pavillon d'Optique Photonique, Université Laval, Québec G1V OA6, Canada. afraser@phasoptx.com
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernier
authors.forename: Jean-Daniel
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Deschênes
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weynant
authors.forename: Jérome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Genest
authors.forename: Réal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vallée