Patent ID: 6532316
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:a bi-directional polarization-independent isolator transmitting therethrough input light including first wavelengths received from a first optical port to a second optical port while preventing transmission therethrough of input light of the first wavelengths received from the second optical port to the first optical port, and, simultaneously, transmitting therethrough input light of second wavelengths different than the first wavelengths and received from the second optical port to the first optical port while preventing transmission therethrough of input light of the second wavelengths received from the first optical port to the second optical port, said bi-directional polarization-independent isolator dividing the input light into components, and recombining the components into output light transmitted to one of the first optical port and the second optical port and such recombining based upon whether the components are changed in character by the bi-directional polarization-independent isolator, wherein the bi-directional polarization-independent isolator comprises: a bi-directional polarization independent optical element dividing the input light into the components and selectively recombining the components based upon the plane of polarization of the components; a reflector reflecting therefrom the components of the input light incident on the reflector after selectively changing the plane of polarization of the components of the input light incident thereon based upon the wavelength of the components of the input light incident thereon; and at least one lens collimating and directing the components of the input light onto the reflector and focusing and directing the reflected components of the input light onto an output port including the one of the first optical port and the second optical port, wherein the reflector comprises a mirror/waveplate assembly wherein only the input light having the second wavelengths passes through the waveplate portion of the mirror/waveplate assembly.