Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for polarization control

US7154670B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
6References
51Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 10, 2004
Grant dateDec 26, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 12, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F1/0136
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Methods and apparatus of performing polarization control for optical transmissions. The methods and apparatus enable polarization control devices to achieve a desired output state of polarization regardless of the input state of polarization. The desired state of polarization can be achieved by rotating waveplates in a polarization controller in a sequential fashion. Each waveplate may be continually adjusted or dithered so long as the feedback signal satisfies a feedback condition. Once the feedback signal exceeds the feedback condition, the next waveplate in the polarization controller is adjusted. This enables the methods and apparatus to rapidly adjust the state of polarization away from dead spots and minimize loss control problems.

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