Polarization preserving optical isolator
US5446578A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 1989 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S372/703
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
At least one non-reciprocal rotation element is interposed between two adjacent walk off crystal members to form an optical isolator. Light in the forward direction is separated into two rays of linear polarizations where there is substantially no optical path length difference between the two rays. Light transmitted in the reverse direction is reduced. A conventional optical isolator which does not preserve optical path length difference is converted into one which does by adding a birefringent plate to compensate for the optical path length difference introduced by the conventional isolator. A pair of collimating lenses may be introduced between any pair of non-reciprocal rotation elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.