Characterization of Polarization-Maintaining Fibers Reveals Heat and Mechanical Stress affect the Polarization of Output Light

Polarization plays a role in determining the results of light-matter interactions and is

therefore an important parameter to control in optical experiments.

Polarization-maintaining (PM) fibers have many uses in optics labs and offer a way to

deliver and manipulate polarized light more easily than alternative methods such as

directing light with mirrors through the air. However, due to various factors, PM fibers

require precise alignment of the input polarization to operate correctly. In this study, we designed and performed experiments to

characterize a PM fiber in order to more reliably and predictably control the behavior of

light that has been coupled into it. We found multiple factors that affect the polarization of the output light, including changes in temperature and stress applied to the fiber, and explored

ways of minimizing such effects. We also found that even when accounting for factors that affect performance, the polarization maintaining function of PM-fibers is imperfect. These results have implications for experimental programs

in the future and establish a method for attaining more reliable results.