Patent ID: 6341038
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An apparatus for polarization conversion comprising:a light source for supplying vertically and horizontally linearly polarized light to an optical path, a parabolic mirror disposed in the optical path and proximate to the light source, the parabolic mirror having a mirror coating to induce a phase shift of substantially 0Â° between incident light and reflected light, a polarizer means disposed in the optical path for reflecting light of one of the linear polarizations and for transmitting the other linear polarization, and a Â¼ waveplate disposed in the optical path between the polarizer means and the parabolic mirror, the Â¼ waveplate having opposing segments each having quarter wave retardance but having axes which are antiparallel to each other, for converting the reflected linear polarization from the polarizer means to circular polarization through one of the segments before being incident upon the parabolic mirror and for converting the reflected circular polarization from the parabolic mirror to the transmitted polarization through the other segment which is directed towards, and transmitted by, the polarizer means.