Patent ID: 6246807
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
An optical circulator, comprising:a first birefringent splitting and combining element configured to split an input beam of light propagating from a first port into orthogonally polarized first and second light paths, a surface of the first birefringent splitting and combining element having input and output portions optically coupled respectively to the first port and a third port, the input and output portions being non-parallel;a first non-reciprocal polarization rotator configured to rotate polarization directions of light propagating along the first and second light paths from the first splitting and combining element in respectively opposing directions;a birefringent translating element disposed along the first and second light paths and configured to laterally displace a light beam having a first polarization direction propagating therethrough and to transmit without lateral displacement a light beam having a second polarization direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction;a second non-reciprocal polarization rotator configured to rotate polarization directions of light propagating along the first and second light paths from the translating element in respectively opposite directions; anda second birefringent splitting and combining element configured to combine light beams propagating along the first and second light paths into an output light beam path directed to a second port.