Patent ID: 6782147
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A Mach-Zehnder device for use with an optical signal, said Mach-Zehnder device comprising:a device input port and a device output port; a substantially achromatic first coupling region optically connected to said device input port; a substantially achromatic second coupling region optically connected to said device output port; an intermediate region optically connected to both said first and second coupling regions, said intermediate region including a first intermediate branch and a second intermediate branch, said first intermediate branch defining a phase shifting portion, said phase shifting portion defining a phase shifting portion level of birefringence over the length of said phase shifting portion, said phase shifting portion level of birefringence being different than an intermediate branch reference portion level of birefringence prevailing over at least an intermediate branch reference portion part of the remainder of said first intermediate branch, so as to allow for the splitting of the optical signal into two orthogonal linearly polarized signals.