Patent ID: 7796259
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: G01J,G01N,G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical assembly comprising: a first optical element comprising a first optically-active wedge configured to impart a first spatially dependent rotation of polarization to linearly polarized light traversing in a first direction, wherein the first optical element further comprises a first index-matched wedge configured such that a light beam traveling in the first direction traverses a spatially independent thickness of the first optical element; and a second optical element comprising a second optically-active wedge configured to impart a second spatially dependent rotation of polarization to linearly polarized light traversing in a second direction; wherein there exists an orientation of the second optical element relative to the first optical element such that a linearly polarized light beam traversing the first optical element in the first direction and traversing the second optical element in the second direction results in a spatially independent rotation of the polarization.