Patent ID: 6445499
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: G02B,G02F,H04B

Abstract:
A polarization independent optical circulator comprising:a first port for directing an optical signal to a second port the second port for directing an optical signal to a third port; polarization diversity means associated with the first, second and third ports for dividing the optical signal into two polarized optical signals and for combining two polarized optical signals of light, and for rotating a polarization of at least one of the two polarized optical signals; and means for aligning the signal from the first port to the second port and from the second port with the third port, for passing polarized optical signals traveling in a first direction having a first polarization without changing an optical path of the signals, and for changing an angle of the optical path for polarized optical signals traveling in a second direction having a second orthogonal polarization including: a first birefringent wedge; a second birefringent wedge; and a non-reciprocal optical element between the first birefringent wedge and the second birefringent wedge.