Patent · US Expired

Variable polarization-dependent-loss source

US6975454B1 · kind B1 · utility

20Cited by
13References
39Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 31, 2002
Grant dateDec 13, 2005
Priority date—
Expiry dateMar 3, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S359/90
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An optical device including a beam splitter, polarization controller, and beam combiner is described. In some embodiments, the beam splitter and beam combiner are provided in a single element. An incoming light beam is split into two beams with different polarization components. The polarization of one or both of the beams is rotated using one or two polarization controllers such as fiber squeezers. The beams are then combined, so that a portion of each of the beams is provided to an output. The polarization dependent loss of the device can then be controlled by controlling the polarization rotation. In some embodiments, the rotation is dynamically controlled.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.