Polarization converter for converting randomly polarized light to linearly polarized light
US5122895A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/283
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An efficiency polarization converter of few optical components for converting a randomly polarized light into a single beam of linearly polarized light, comprises a first optical device receiving the random light and projecting two linearly polarized lights one projected in a first direction, another to a second optical device which changes the polarization plane thereof, the polarization changes light being directed by a third optical device to the first direction, thereby the two linearly polarized light are combined and aligned to have a common polarization to become the single beam linearly polarized light projected in the first direction. Typical first optical device is a polarization beam splitter, a typical second optical device is a quarterwave plate with a mirror, a halfwave plate or a Fresnel rhomb with a mirror, or a photomodulation material interposed between biased electrodes with a mirror, a typical third optical device is a polarization beam splitter, a prism or a mirror. The first and third optical devices may be combined to a 3-prism structure. The polarization converter may be used with liquid crystal light modulators to utilize image display systems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.