Patent ID: 7873084

Claim:
An arrangement for generating linearly polarized light and for transmitting said linearly polarized light through a crystal so as to reduce or prevent depolarization of said linearly polarized light, said arrangement comprising: a device for generating linearly polarized light; a crystal having {111}- or {100}-crystal planes and <100>- or <111>-crystal axes; and optionally means for preventing formation of a temperature gradient in the crystal; wherein said crystal has a surface that is one of the {111}- or {100}-crystal planes, and is oriented so that the linearly polarized light impinges on said surface at an incidence angle of 45 to 75° and after entering the crystal the linearly polarized light propagates through the crystal as parallel as possible to the <100>- or <111>-crystal axes; whereby depolarization of said linearly polarized light passing through said crystal is reduced or prevented.