Patent ID: 6154581
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
An optical circulator, comprising:a birefringent splitting and combining element configured to split a beam of light propagating in a forward direction into first and second light paths having mutually orthogonal polarizations;an inverting reflector configured to reflect light travelling forward along the first light path to travel in a reverse direction along a third light path parallel to the first light path, and to reflect light travelling forward along the second light path into a reverse direction along a fourth light path parallel to the second light path,a first non-reciprocal polarization rotator configured to rotate polarization directions of light propagating along the first, second, third and fourth light paths from the first splitting and combining element by approximately 45.degree.; anda birefringent translating unit configured to laterally displace a light beam propagating therethrough with a first polarization direction and to transmit without lateral displacement a light beam having a second polarization direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction;wherein light propagating through the birefringent translating unit along one of the second and third light paths is laterally displaced and light propagating through the birefringent translating unit along the other of the second and third light paths is not laterally displaced, and light propagating along the third and fourth paths is combined into a single output path in the birefringent splitting and combining element.