Patent ID: 6693743
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A polarization beam splitter birefringent device comprising:a polarization beam splitter configured to split a first composite light beam into first and second components thereof, the first and second components being orthogonally polarized with respect to one another; a first reflector comprising a prism and configured to at least partially define a first path which is configured to transmit the first component, the first path having a first optical length; a second reflector comprising a prism and configured to at least partially define a second path which is configured to transmit the second component, the second path having a second optical length, the second optical path length being different with respect to the first optical path length; a first half-wave waveplate in the first path intermediate the first reflector and the polarization beam splitter, the first half-wave waveplate being configured so as to transmit the first component either before or after the first component has been reflected by the first reflector; a second half-wave waveplate in the second path intermediate the second reflector and the polarization beam splitter, the second half-wave waveplate being configured so as to transmit the second component either before or after the second component has been reflected by the second reflector; and wherein the polarization beam splitter is further configured to recombine the first and second components so as to form a second composite light beam.