Optical circulators using beam angle turners
US6175448A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 5, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 5, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/31
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for optically circulating light beams between ports is disclosed, with a first port positioned at a proximal end of the apparatus, a second port positioned at a distal end of the apparatus, and a third port positioned at the proximal end of the apparatus. The first port is capable of transmitting a first light beam and the second port is capable of transmitting a second light beam. The apparatus includes a first beam bender. The first beam bender has opposing first and second faces. The first face and the second face are at an angle to one another. The first face and the second face intersect a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal to the distal end of the optical circulator. The beam bender is responsive to a polarization orientation of the first light beam to refract the first light beam toward the second port. The beam bender is further responsive to a polarization orientation of the second light beam to refract the second light beam toward the third port. The apparatus may additionally comprise end portions and imaging elements. The first and second end portions are positioned at either end of the apparatus to impart a propagation direction dependent polari…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.