Patent ID: 6353691
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A splitter/combiner comprising:a first birefringent wedge having a first optic axis and a first wedge angle; and a second birefringent wedge having a second optic axis and a second wedge angle, the second birefringent wedge being optically coupled with the first birefringent wedge, the the second wedge angle being complementary to the first wedge angle, the second optic axis being perpendicular to the first optic axis such that an extraordinary signal for the first birefringent wedge is an ordinary signal for the second birefringent wedge, the first and second birefringent wedges establishing a first path for a first portion of a first optical signal and for establishing a second path for a second portion of the first optical signal, the first path and the second path being separated by an angle, the first optical signal travelling from the first birefringent wedge to the second birefringent wedge, the first birefringent wedge and the second birefringent wedge for combining a second optical signal travelling along the first path with a third optical signal travelling along the second path, the second optical signal and the third optical signal travelling from the second birefringent wedge to the first birefringent wedge.