Patent ID: 6496611
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A multichannel optical spectrum slicer for converting a light incident from a broad band continuous spectral light source having an optional wavelength region into discontinuous multiple wavelength lights, comprising:at least one birefringent device having two polarization axes each orthogonal to an optical axis; and linear polarizers, disposed at the light incident end and the light emission end of the at least one birefringent device with the direction of polarization being inclined by about 45Â° relative to each of the polarization axes of the at least one birefringent device; wherein the length of the at least one birefringent device has a frequency spacing of the discontinuous multiple wavelength lights to be output and is defined as: L=c/(vpÂ·&Dgr;n), where L: length of birefringent device c: velocity of light in vacuum vp: frequency spacing &Dgr;n: modal birefringence, where &Dgr;n=refractive index nx of polarization axis xâˆ’refractive index ny of polarization axis y.