Patent ID: 6359851
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
An optical beam dividing element, comprising:first and second optical phase compensation plates disposed side by side to form a unitary substrate; first and second Wollaston prisms provided on said first and second optical phase compensation plates respectively with a mutual separation from each other in a first direction; first and second wedge prisms respectively provided on said first and second Wollaston prisms, said first and second wedge prisms having respective prism surfaces inclined with each other; third and fourth wedge prisms disposed on said unitary substrate between said first and second Wollaston prisms with a separation from each other in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, said third and fourth wedge prisms having respective, mutually inclined third and fourth prism surfaces; and fifth and sixth wedge prisms provided on said unitary substrate between said third and fourth wedge prisms, said fifth wedge prism having a fifth prism surface inclined to said third wedge prism, said sixth wedge prism having a sixth prism surface inclined to said fourth wedge prism.