Transmission of information through the use of quantum-optical effects within a multi-layered birefringent structure
OwnerCarol Y. Scarlettinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical system uses a multi-layered birefringent structure that receives an input beam that may be non-coherent or coherent, and produces a randomization energy from the input beam, by creating birefringent induced beam subdivisions as the beam passes through each birefringent layer, where after the beam has passed through a threshold number of birefringent layers, a randomized energy distribution is created. That randomized energy distribution is read by a photodetector and converted into a random number by a randomization processing device.
Claims20
An optical system for transmitting information, the optical system comprising:
- a birefringent structure configured to receive a beam from a beam source, the birefringent structure comprising a plurality of birefringent layers and a plurality of polarizer elements positioned within the plurality of birefringent layers, wherein each layer has a birefringent axis that is misaligned with a birefringent axis of each previous layer, and
- wherein each layer of the birefringent structure is positioned to split the beam as it propagates through the birefringent structure, forming an increasingly bifurcated beam;
- a controller coupled to the plurality of polarizer elements and configured to control polarization axes of each of the plurality of polarizer elements to impart an embedded signal on the beam;
- and
- a photodetector positioned to receive the beam exiting the birefringent structure and convert the energy of the beam into an parallel output signal containing the embedded signal.
A method for transmitting information via an optical system, the method comprising:
- receiving, into a birefringent structure comprising a plurality of birefringent layers and a plurality of polarizer elements positioned within the plurality of birefringent layers, wherein each layer has a birefringent axis that is misaligned with a birefringent axis of each previous layer, a beam from a beam source;
- subdividing the beam, by passing the beam through the layers of the birefringent structure, such that the beam impending upon the birefringent structure is subdivided into additional beams to collectively form an increasingly bifurcating beam;
- controlling, by a controller coupled to the plurality of polarizer elements, polarization axes of each of the plurality of polarizer elements to impart an embedded signal on the beam;
- receiving, by a photodetector, energy generated by the beam exiting the birefringent structure;
- and
- producing a parallel output signal from the energy detected at the photodetector, the output signal containing the embedded signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.