Patent ID: 8279511

Claim:
An apparatus for producing polarized light, comprising: a modulator crystal, wherein the modulator crystal comprises a birefringent electro-optic material, wherein the modulator crystal has an optic axis, a first polarization axis, and a second polarization axis, wherein the first polarization axis and second polarization axis are each perpendicular to the optic axis and perpendicular to each other, wherein light enters a first end of the modulator crystal at a first surface and exits a second end of the modulator crystal at a second surface, wherein the first surface of the first end lies in a first plane and the second surface of the second end lies in a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are not parallel, an electrode pair, wherein the electrode pair is positioned such that when a voltage is applied across the electrode pair an electric field is created through a portion of the modulator crystal, wherein the electric field has at least a component perpendicular to the optic axis, wherein application of the electric field creates a difference in a first index of refraction for light polarized along the first polarization axis so as to modulate light passing through the modulator crystal that is polarized along the first polarization axis, wherein when light is incident on the first end, passes through the modulator crystal, and exits the second end, the light is split into a first beam that is polarized along the first axis of polarization and a second beam that is polarized along the second axis of polarization as the light exits the second end, wherein the first beam and the second beam diverge from each other as the light exits the second end.