Patent ID: 6778325
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: G02B,H04N

Abstract:
An optical filter comprising:a plurality of birefringent plates comprising optical elements that spatially divide incident light along directions each extending perpendicular to a direction in which the incident light advances to achieve two separate light fluxes respectively; and at least one quarter-wave plate provided between said plurality of birefringent plates, that is capable of creating a specific quantity of a phase difference between a light component vibrating in one vibrating direction and a light component vibrating in another vibrating direction extending perpendicular to said one vibrating direction for the two light fluxes emitted from any one of said plurality of birefringent plates, wherein: at least one of said plurality of birefringent plates comprises LiNbO3; and each of said plurality of birefringent plates is thinner than said quarter-wave plate.