Detecting polarization state of an optical wavefront
US5031993A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B11/10576
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved apparatus and method for detecting the polarization state of an optical wavefront is disclosed, which is especially suitable for use in an integrated magneto-optic recording head. An optically transparent waveguide structure transmits TE and TM modes of the wavefront propagated as a beam coupled into the waveguide by a TE/TM grating coupler. In the waveguide structure is a periodic structure comprising a birefringent mode separator that splits the propagating beam into TE and TM modes. The mode separator comprises an array of uniformly spaced volumes of identical configuration. Photosensitive devices detect the intensity of the light contained within each of the separated beams. The signals from these photosensitive devices are used to determine the state of polarization of the optical wavefront. The periodic structure may, if desired, comprise regions of alternating birefringence, such as a Bragg grating, either in a waveguide layer or a cladding layer. Focal power is introduced (1) by providing focal power in the input grating coupler to the waveguide with a curved grating structure, (2) by varying the pitch of the birefringent mode separator extending in a direction …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.