Two Models

• PL100S: SOP Locker with Standard Single Mode Fiber (SMF) Output
  The PL100S can be used as replacement of the looped fiber (paddle) controllers. The PL100S includes a scrambling mode.
• PL100P: SOP Locker with Polarization Maintaining Fiber (PMF) Output
  The PL100P transforms the input polarization into a linear polarization which is coupled into the slow axis of the PMF. The orthogonal state (coupling into the fast axis) can be easily accessed at the push of a button on the front panel.

PL100 Series Features

• Wavelength Range: 1200 to 1700nm
• Input Independent Polarization Control and Locking
• Stand-alone Operation without PC
• Fast Controlling
• High Accuracy
  SOP: 0.25 on Poincaré Sphere
  DOP: 0.25%
• SOP Scrambling (PL100S)
• Low Insertion Loss: <1.1dB
• USB Control

Introduction
The PL100 Series SOP Locker is a stand-alone inline deterministic polarization controller. This benchtop device offers input independent polarization control with high speed, low loss, and high accuracy without PC connection. The PL100 Series is an economic solution for applications where manual polarization controller like Lefèvre Loops (paddles) are not applicable.

Functionality
Like the DPC5500 Deterministic Polarization Controller, the SOP Locker consists of a multitude of piezo-electric based fiber squeezers, a fast in-line polarimeter which measures the actual polarization, and a digital signal processor (DSP), which realizes the feedback loop and enables high speed control and locking of the SOP.

Operating Mode
A set of buttons on the front panel allows the control of the polarization. Each point on the Poincaré Sphere can be set in a grid of 1°. The device has the capability to release the locking state. In this state the output polarization is dependent on the input SOP. In precision mode the accuracy for low power signals is maintained. The SOP Locker can be controlled via USB. Drivers for LabVIEW™, LabWindows/CVI™, MSVC and Borland C are included.

Calibration
Easy calibration of the PL100 Series for the actual optical system including lightsource is done by the built-in calibration routine and started via a button on the front panel.