Magneto-optic rotator
US4733938A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 1986 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/0322
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A single, continuous strand of fiber optic material is wrapped about a mandrel to form oval-shaped loops having parallel sides and curved ends. A magnet is positioned so that its B-field is substantially parallel to the straight portions of the loops. As light propagates through these straight portions of the loops, its direction of polarization is rotated in accordance with the Faraday effect. The curved portions are formed to create sufficient linear birefrigence to provide a phase difference of 180 degrees between light in the two orthogonal polarization modes of the fiber. This advantageously causes the Faraday rotations in each of the straight portions to add, rather than cancel. The magneto-optic rotator of the present invention is useful in a variety of applications such as an optical isolator, a modulator, and a magnetometer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.