Patent ID: 7034979
Filing Date: 2006-04-25
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. An optical device for processing an optical signal, comprising: a crystal wedge operable to spatially separate an input optical signal into a first beam component having a first polarization state and a second beam component having a second polarization state, the crystal wedge having an optical axis arranged at an optical axis angle such that the first beam component and the second beam component converge; a polarization modulator operable to change the polarization state of the first beam component and the polarization state of the second beam component in response to a control signal; and a reflective element operable to reflect the first beam component and the second beam component such that the crystal wedge spatially recombines a portion of the first beam component having the second polarization state with a portion of the second beam component having the first polarization state to form an output optical signal.