Patent ID: 6282025
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical polarizing beam splitter comprising:a first optical fiber having an end defining a first optical axis;a second optical fiber having an end defining a second optical axis;a third optical fiber having an end defining a third optical axis parallel to and spaced apart from said second optical axis, said second and third optical axes being symmetrical about said first optical axis;a first focussing lens disposed along said first optical axis;a Wollaston prism disposed at a location along said first optical axis where a focal point of said first focussing lens lies on an interface between two component pieces of said prism such that a first component of an optical beam from said first optical fiber having a first polarization is directed along a first path disposed at a first angle with respect to said first optical axis and a second component of said optical beam having a second polarization orthogonal to that of said first polarization is directed along a second path disposed at a second angle with respect to said first optical axis, said first and second angles being substantially symmetrical about said first optical axis;a second focussing lens disposed along said first and second paths at a location selected to focus a first component optical beam into said end of said second optical fiber to focus a second component optical beam into said end of said third optical fiber.