PolaSwitch PSW-002 Solid-State Polarization Switch

Solid-state magneto-optic polarization switch that rotates the SOP of incoming light by a fixed 45° or 90° angle in about 100 µs.

Wavelength range: 1550±30nm or 1310±30nm
Polarization rotation (at λc, 23°C): 45±0.5° or 90±0.5°
Polarization rotation (all wavelengths, all temperatures in range): 45±5° or 90±5°
Rotation angle temperature dependence: −0.1 degree / °C

Datasheet

Overview

The PSW-002 is a solid-state polarization switch, originally from the General Photonics line, that rotates the state of polarization (SOP) of incoming light by a fixed angle of either 45 or 90 degrees, quickly and repeatably. The manufacturer has discontinued the PSW-002 and lists the PSW-003 High-Speed Polarization Switch as its alternative.

The device uses a magneto-optic rotator to switch between two output polarization states separated by a relative angle of 45° or 90°. It has no moving parts and comes with either single-mode or polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber pigtails.

With the PM option, the device works as a TE to TM converter. It switches the SOP between the slow and fast axes of the PM fiber, or between the slow axis and 45 degrees from the slow axis. With the SM option, the device simply rotates the polarization ellipse by 45 or 90 degrees.

The PSW-002 is a small module intended for OEM integration wherever polarization switching is needed. An optional driver board makes switch control simpler by letting the user set the output SOP with TTL levels.

Key Features

Digitally switched SOP
Switching speed 100µs
No moving parts
Low insertion loss
Compact
Single mode and PM fiber pigtailed versions
Optional driver board for TTL-level control

Specifications

Optical

Wavelength range	1550±30nm or 1310±30nm
Polarization rotation (at λc, 23°C)	45±0.5° or 90±0.5°
Polarization rotation (all wavelengths, all temperatures in range)	45±5° or 90±5°
Rotation angle temperature dependence 45° version	−0.1 degree / °C 45° version
Rotation angle temperature dependence 90° version	−0.2 degree / °C 90° version
SOP switching speed	100µs typical
Insertion loss	< 0.5 dB Values referenced without connectors
Return loss	> 55 dB Values referenced without connectors
Extinction ratio PM model	> 18 dB for PM model Both output states of 90° PM PSW with input polarizer at 23 °C
Fiber type	PM Panda, SMF-28 or compatible

Electrical

Switching current	< 130 mA
Switching voltage	2.5 V
Latching current	~ 80 mA
Latching voltage	1.5 to 2 V

Environmental

Operating temperature	0° to 50 °C
Storage temperature	-40° to 85 °C

Physical

Driver board dimensions D	1.50" (L) x 1.50" (W) x 0.58" (H)

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.

Applications

Polarization diversified detectors and sensors
Polarization sensitive OCT
Polarization metrology
Polarization sensitive OTDR and OFDR
PMD monitoring
Polarization modulation
Polarization detection
Optical device test and characterization
Manufacturing test of fiber optic assemblies
OEM modules for fiber optic sensing

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
15	Wavelength: 1550 nm — Ordering code for operating wavelength
13	Wavelength: 1310 nm — Ordering code for operating wavelength
90	Polarization rotation: 90°
45	Polarization rotation: 45°
SS	Fiber type: SM to SM
PP	Fiber type: PM to PM
0	No input polarizer — Input polarizer selection for PM PSW
P	Input polarizer (slow axis) — Input polarizer selection for PM PSW
NC	No connectors — Connector types available: FC/PC, FC/APC or no connectors; others on request
D	With driver board — Driver board allows control of the output SOP using TTL levels; omit the character for no driver board