Patent ID: 6973223
Filing Date: 2005-12-06
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A device for providing polarized light having a selectable extinction ratio at an output of a first optical fiber, the device comprising: a source of light; an auxiliary fiber, each of the fibers having end facets, the auxiliary fiber being connected to the source of light and the fibers being rotatable in relation to each other; and a connector, wherein an end facet of the auxiliary fiber and an end facet of the first fiber meet in the connector in which the fiber facets are rotatable in relation to each other about the longitudinal axis of the meeting fiber end regions, a rotator connected to an end of one of the auxiliary and first fibers for rotating the end facet to an angular position different than an angular position of the end facet of the other of the auxiliary and first fibers, wherein the polarized light providing device is in use, the rotator varies the extinction ratio of the polarized light at the output of the first optical fiber by rotating one or both of the fiber end facets in relation to each other to different angular positions, and wherein said auxiliary fiber is a polarizing fiber and said first optical fiber is a polarization maintaining optical fiber.