Method and system for providing an optical circulator
US6178044A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S372/703
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and system for providing an optical circulator is disclosed. The optical circulator includes a first port, a second port, a third port, and means for establishing a first optical path and a second optical path. The first optical path is from the first port to the second port. The second optical path is from the second port to the third port. The optical path establishing means also includes a wedge and a first birefringent material. The wedge intersects the second optical path but not the first optical path. The wedge is for ensuring that the second optical path includes the third port but not the first port. The wedge does so by deflecting an optical signal input from the second port, but not an optical signal from the first port. The first birefringent material intersects the first optical path and the second optical path and is disposed between the wedge and the second port along the second optical path. The first birefringent material is for ensuring that the second optical path includes the third port but not the first port and for ensuring that the first optical path includes the second port.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.