Dual stage optical device with low polarization mode dispersion
US5566259A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/278
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides for a two-stage optical isolator with reduced polarization mode dispersion. Each stage has two birefringent polarizers separated by a Faraday rotator. The polarizers in each stage are oriented with respect to each other to operate conventionally as an optical isolator for light in a backward direction. However, the polarizers in each stage are oriented with respect to the polarizers in the other stage so that a polarization mode along one direction, say, the ordinary direction, of light in the first stage travelling toward the second stage is aligned along the opposite, extraordinary, direction in the second stage and vice versa. In this manner the component of any polarization travels the same optical distance through the optical isolator to substantially reduce polarization mode dispersion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.