Patent ID: 6574015
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: G02B,G11B

Abstract:
A low noise optical system coupled to a light source having a time varying optical spectrum for generating a main light signal, the system comprising:a first beam splitter adapted to receive the main light signal from the light source and to transmit a first component signal and a second component signal, the first component signal including a first portion of the main light signal and the second component signal including a second portion of the main light signal; a first conduit including a first optical path length, a first end and a second end, coupled at the first end the first conduit to the first beam splitter, adapted to propagate on the forward path the first component signal and on the return path a third component signal, said third component signal including the second portion of the main light signal and a first parasitic light signal; a second conduit including a second optical path length, a first end and a second end, coupled at the first end of the second conduit to the first beam splitter, adapted to propagate on the forward path the second component signal and on the return path a fourth component signal, the fourth component signal including the first portion of the main light signal and a second parasitic light signal, the second optical path length including a longer optical length than the first optical path length and a physical length difference between the first and second optical path lengths is determined by the optical spectrum of the light source, adapted to cause depolarization of the first parasitic light signal and the second parasitic light signal resulting in the destruction of coherent interference between the first parasitic light signal and the second parasitic light signal.