US 6,175,668 B1 · Wideband polarization splitter, combiner, isolator and controller

Abstract

A wideband polarization splitter and combiner is fabricated using either fiber coupler technology or planar coupler technology. The device splits or combines wideband light signals without losing a substantial amount of spectral information. An antipodal phase generator is used to split a randomly polarized light signal into relatively wideband polarization components for use by polarization sensitive devices. The optical device is fabricated using polarization preserving fibers or waveguides, but it is intended for use in systems employing non-polarization-preserving fibers. The polarization splitter/combiner is also used as the basis for an isolator/circulator and a polarization controller. The polarization controller converts a randomly polarized light signal into a signal having a known and definite state of polarization.

Claims38

Dependent claims

An optical device for directing a polarized light signal, and a first polarization component and a second polarization component which are mutually orthogonal polarization components of said polarized light signal, said optical device including a first port, a first component port, and a second component port, said optical device comprising:

an antipodal phase generator connected to the first port, the first component port, and the second component port, for generating a first antipodal phase signal to selectively interfere with the first polarization component and a second antipodal phase signal to selectively interfere with the second polarization component to thereby cause a relationship to exist, wherein the polarized light signal propagates in the first port, the first polarization component propagates in the first component port and the second polarization component propagates in the second component port without a substantial loss of spectral information.

A method for directing a polarized light signal, having a first polarization component and a second polarization component that are mutually orthogonal polarization components of said polarized light signal, said optical device including a first port, a first component port, and a second component port, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an antipodal phase generator connected to the first port, the first component port, and the second component port;
generating a first antipodal phase signal and a second antipodal phase signal from the first polarization component and the second polarization component, respectively;
and
selectively subtracting said first antipodal phase signal from the first polarization component and said second antipodal phase signal from the second polarization component to thereby cause a relationship to exist, wherein the polarized light signal propagates in the first port, the first polarization component propagates in the first component port, and the second polarization component propagates in the second component port without a substantial loss of spectral information.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wideband polarization splitter, combiner, isolator and controller

Life of this patent

Wideband polarization splitter, combiner, isolator and controller

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38