Patent ID: 8260101
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A system for dividing an optical beam, comprising: a first section of a hollow metallized waveguide having a first width and configured to carry the optical beam; a second section of a hollow metallized waveguide having a second width and a length that is at least square root of 3 times a Rayleigh length of the optical beam, the second section being coupled coaxial with the first section, wherein the second width is greater than the first width to enable the optical beam to expand adiabatically; a third section of a hollow metallized waveguide having an opening coupled to an output of the second section; and an in-plane optical beam splitter located in the third section, wherein the beam splitter comprises a first and a second mirror configured to direct the optical beam in first and second directions in the third section, wherein the first and second minors are positioned relative to the output of the second section to direct a desired amount of power of the optical beam in the first and second directions of the third section respectively.