Patent ID: 6847744
Filing Date: 2005-01-25
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An all-fiber linear design depolarizer for depolarizing a light source, which comprises: (a) a polarization combiner adapted to combine orthogonal polarizations; (b) a directional coupler having one or two input fibers, a coupling region and two output fibers, said coupler being adapted to split a signal pumped into the input fiber or fibers in two substantially equal intensities, and the output fibers of the coupler extend to become input branches to the polarization combiner; (c) one of the branches between the coupler and the polarization combiner having a length different than that of the other branch and greater than the coherence length of the light source, thereby inducing an optical delay in the polarization propagating in said one of the branches; and (d) a polarization controller making the polarizations that enter the polarization combiner orthogonal, said polarizations being combined in said polarization combiner so as to depolarize the signal.