Polarization selecting optical element using a porro prism incorporating a thin film polarizer in a single element
US6229645A · kind A · utility
5Cited by
9References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 8, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/283
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A Porro prism and a light polarizer are combined in a single optical element termed a Hendrix Prism. The design provides retro-reflection of incoming light of a predetermined polarization in a direction anti-parallel to the direction of light incidence, while reflecting undesired light, i.e., that having a polarization orthogonal to the predetermined polarization, from the surface of the light polarizer. The undesired light is reflected in a direction that does not interfere with the intended operation of the device in which the Hendrix Prism is installed yet provides feedback to the system in which it is used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.