Patent ID: 6839170
Filing Date: 2005-01-04
Classification: G02B,G02F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An optical isolator, comprising: a beam splitter configured to receive light comprising light of a first polarization and light of a second polarization with a first phase difference, said beam splitter further configured to deflect said light of a first polarization as a first beam and to transmit said light of a second polarization as a second beam; a focusing element having a focusing axis, configured to receive said first beam and said second beam and to focus said first beam and said second beam toward said focusing axis; a first birefringent wedge having a first optical axis, configured to receive said first beam and said second beam; a non-reciprocal rotating device configured to receive said first beam and said second beam and to rotate said first polarization state and said second polarization state; a second birefringent wedge having a second optical axis, configured to receive said first beam and said second beam; a compensation device, configured to transmit said first beam at a first speed and said second beam at a second speed, such that a phase difference between said first beam and said second beam is equal to said first phase when said first beam and said second beam exit said compensation element; and a reflector, configured to reflect at least a portion of said first beam and said second beam.