Patent ID: 7359122
Filing Date: 2008-04-15
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A prism assembly, comprising: a first prism having a first front face, a first side face, and a first rear face; a second prism having a second front face parallel to said first rear face, a second side face, and a second rear face, said second prism being configured to direct a first component beam through said second side face, a third prism having a third front face parallel to said second rear face, a third side face, and a third rear face, said third prism being configured to direct a second component beam through said third side face; and a fourth prism having a fourth front face parallel to said third rear face and a fourth rear face, said rear face being parallel to said first front face and being configured to transmit a third component beam there through; wherein said prism assembly comprises two independent optical paths including (1) a first path beginning at said first front face and through which incoming light is split and redirected to three different locations by said prisms and (2) a second path in which light from said three different locations is combined and output through said first front face; and wherein said first and second optical paths are separated by an optical axis of said prism assembly.