Polarization state converter
AssigneeNorthern Telecom Limited
InventorGeorge H. B. Thompson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An integrated optics polarization state converter comprises optically in series a first TM.sub.0 to TM.sub.1 mode converter that is substantially transparent to TE.sub.0, a concatenation of total internal reflectors and a second TM.sub.0 to TM.sub.1 converter, similarly substantially transparent to TE.sub.0, which is connected the way round so as to operate as a TM.sub.1 to TM.sub.0 converter. Each TM.sub.0 to TM.sub.1 converter may comprise a tandem arrangement of a 2.times.2 TE.sub.0 /TM.sub.0 polarization beam splitting coupler and a mismatched, 3 dB maximum, 2.times.2 beam splitting coupler. The place of the TM.sub.0 to TM.sub.1 converters substantially transparent to TE.sub.0 may be taken by TE.sub.0 to TE.sub.1 converters substantially transparent to TM.sub.0.
Claims12
An integrated optics polarisation state converter that includes optically in series a zero-to-first order mode converter and a concatenation of total internal reflectors, wherein the zero-to-first order mode converter is selected from the group comprising a TE.sub.0 to TE.sub.1 mode converter that is substantially transparent to TM.sub.0 and a TM.sub.0 to TM.sub.1 mode converter that is substantially transparent to TE.sub.0, which mode converter is oriented such that zero order optical power converted by it into first order is launched into the concatenation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.