Optical Fabry-Perot cavities always show a non-degeneracy of two orthogonal polarisation states. This is due to the unavoidable birefringence of dielectric mirrors whose effects are extremely important in Fabry-Perot-based high-accuracy polarimeters: in birefringent cavities, ellipticities and rotations mix. We have developed and present here a theory of the polarisation state dynamics in a birefringent Fabry-Perot resonator, and we validate it through measurements performed with the polarimeter of the PVLAS experiment. The measurements are performed while a laser is frequency-locked to the cavity, and provide values for the phase difference between the two orthogonal polarisation components introduced by the combination of the two cavity mirrors (equivalent wave-plate) and for the finesse of the cavity. The theoretical formulas and the experimental data agree well showing that the consequences of the mirror birefringence must be taken into account in this and in any other similar experiment.

Ejlli, A., Della Valle, F., Zavattini, G. (2018). Polarisation dynamics of a birefringent Fabry–Perot cavity. APPLIED PHYSICS. B, LASERS AND OPTICS, 124(2), Article number 22 [10.1007/s00340-018-6891-3].

Polarisation dynamics of a birefringent Fabry–Perot cavity

Della Valle, F.
;
2018-01-01

Abstract

Optical Fabry-Perot cavities always show a non-degeneracy of two orthogonal polarisation states. This is due to the unavoidable birefringence of dielectric mirrors whose effects are extremely important in Fabry-Perot-based high-accuracy polarimeters: in birefringent cavities, ellipticities and rotations mix. We have developed and present here a theory of the polarisation state dynamics in a birefringent Fabry-Perot resonator, and we validate it through measurements performed with the polarimeter of the PVLAS experiment. The measurements are performed while a laser is frequency-locked to the cavity, and provide values for the phase difference between the two orthogonal polarisation components introduced by the combination of the two cavity mirrors (equivalent wave-plate) and for the finesse of the cavity. The theoretical formulas and the experimental data agree well showing that the consequences of the mirror birefringence must be taken into account in this and in any other similar experiment.
2018
Ejlli, A., Della Valle, F., Zavattini, G. (2018). Polarisation dynamics of a birefringent Fabry–Perot cavity. APPLIED PHYSICS. B, LASERS AND OPTICS, 124(2), Article number 22 [10.1007/s00340-018-6891-3].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11365/1034936