Patent ID: 7035497
Filing Date: 2006-04-25
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. A magneto-optical switch comprising: a birefringent crystal configured to receive a light beam; a half-wave plate pair configured to receive the light beam from the birefringent crystal; a Faraday rotator configured to receive the light beam from the half-wave plate and further configured to change a polarization state of the light beam by a first amount when an electromagnetic field is applied and by a second amount when the electromagnetic field is removed; a prism configured to receive the light beam from the Faraday rotator, a reflective surface configured to receive the light beam from the Faraday rotator, and a port coupled to a first input optical fiber, a first output optical fiber, and a second output optical fiber, wherein the light beam passes between the first input optical fiber and the first output optical fiber when the electromagnetic field is applied and between the first input optical fiber and the second output optical fiber when the electromagnetic field is removed.