Patent ID: 7599069
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: G02B,G03F

Abstract:
1. A method of generating an optical vector beam comprising: transforming an input optical beam into at least two output beams, wherein the at least two output beams have the same polarization; simultaneously coupling the at least two output beams into a single coupler that is a passive phase stability element collimating the at least two output beams for propagation along the same direction of an interferometer; after said coupling, manipulating the polarization of each of the at least two output beams to form at least two polarization affected output beams each having a different polarization and each propagating along the same direction of the interferometer; and manipulating the phase of the at least two polarization affected output beams to form at least two phase affected output beams each propagating along the same direction of the interferometer, wherein combining the at least two phase affected output beams produces the vector beam.