Polarization management
AssigneeAkonia Holographics LLC
InventorsMark R. Ayres, Friso Schlottau, Adam Urness, Kenneth E. Anderson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical device for polarizing light including a polarization altering element operatively coupled to a light path associated with the first light coupling device and the second light coupling device is described. The optical device may further include a first waveguide portion including a first layer having parallel plane surfaces with the first waveguide portion having a first light coupling device. The optical device may also include a second waveguide portion including a second layer having parallel plane surfaces with the second waveguide portion having a second light coupling device.
Claims20
An optical device, comprising:
- a first waveguide portion including a first layer having parallel plane surfaces, the first waveguide portion having a first light coupling device;
- a second waveguide portion including a second layer having parallel plane surfaces, the second waveguide portion having a second light coupling device that comprises a hologram;
- and
- a polarization altering element operatively coupled to a light path associated with the first light coupling device and the second light coupling device, wherein the first waveguide portion is laterally offset with respect to the second waveguide portion, and wherein the second waveguide portion is more non-overlapping than overlapping with respect to the first waveguide portion.
An optical device, comprising:
- a waveguide including a first layer having parallel plane surfaces and a second layer having parallel plane surfaces;
- a polarization altering element positioned between the first layer and the second layer;
- a grating medium interposed between the first layer and the second layer;
- and
- a light coupling device disposed within the grating medium, wherein the light coupling device comprises a grating structure in the grating medium and wherein the polarization altering element extends, through the grating medium, from one of the parallel plane surfaces of the first layer to one of the parallel plane surfaces of the second layer.
An optical device, comprising:
- a waveguide including a first layer having first and second parallel plane surfaces and a second layer having third and fourth parallel plane surfaces;
- a grating medium interposed between the first and second layers, wherein the grating medium contacts the first surface of the first layer and the third surface of the second layer;
- a first polarization altering element in the grating medium and positioned between the first layer and the second layer;
- a diffractive light coupling device disposed within the grating medium;
- and
- a second polarization altering element positioned on the second surface of the first layer.
An optical device, comprising:
- a first waveguide portion including a diffraction grating and a first layer having parallel plane surfaces;
- a second waveguide portion including a second layer having parallel plane surfaces;
- and
- a polarization altering element operatively coupled to a light path associated with the first waveguide portion and the second waveguide portion, wherein the first waveguide portion is laterally offset with respect to the second waveguide portion, and wherein the second waveguide portion is more non-overlapping than overlapping with respect to the first waveguide portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.