Demonstration of integrated polarization control with a 40 dB range in extinction ratio

Polarization controllers are key elements in many fields of optics, including coherent communications, optical imaging, and quantum applications. Here we present a technology-independent polarization controller scheme based on electrically tunable phase shifters and polarization rotators with largely relaxed fabrication tolerances. Using this scheme, we experimentally demonstrate a fully integrated polarization controller in the silicon-on-insulator platform that is tunable over the complete C-band and achieves a polarization extinction range of 40 dB (±20  dB). These results constitute, to the best of our knowledge, the highest polarization extinction range achieved in a fully integrated device, and overcome the existing limitation in the trade-off between integration and performance in polarization management circuits.