Abstract An optical switch comprises a first polarization converter, and a second polarization converter which is provided in series with the first polarization converter. The first and second converters are ableto select as emitted light one of two perpendicular polarized light components of incident light having a desired wavelength (Xo) in a polarized state. The first polarization converter converts the incident light into a polarized light component corresponding to one of two points positioned at opposite sides to each other on a Poincare sphere and obtained by rotating the incident light at +90° or -90° around an axis perpendicular to an axis passing through a point corresponding to the incident light on the Poincare sphere and the center of the Poincare sphere. The second polarization converter converts the polarized light obtained by the first polarization converter into polarized light corresponding to a point obtained by rotating the two polarized light components at +90° or -90° around an axis passing through the above-mentioned two points on the Poincaré sphere.
An optical switch comprising: a first polarization converter; and a second polarization converter provided in series with the first polarization converter; operable said first and said second converter being to.select as emitted light one of two perpendicular polarized light components of incident light having a desired wavelength (λ 0 ) in polarized state; said first polarization converter converting said incident light having wavelength λ 0 into a polarized light component corresponding to one of two points positioned at opposite sides to each other on a Poincare sphere obtained by rotating said incident light +90° or -90° around an axis perpendicular to an axis passing through a point corresponding to said incident light on the Poincare sphere and the center of the Poincare sphere; said second polarization converter converting said polarized light obtained by said first polarization converter into polarized light corresponding to a point obtained by rotating said two polarized light components +90° or -90° around an axis passing through the above-mentioned two points on the Poincaré sphere.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
An optical switch comprising: a first polarization converter; and a second polarization converter provided in series with the first polarization converter; operable said first and said second converter being to.select as emitted light one of two perpendicular polarized light components of incident light having a desired wavelength (λ 0 ) in polarized state; said first polarization converter converting said incident light having wavelength λ 0 into a polarized light component corresponding to one of two points positioned at opposite sides to each other on a Poincare sphere obtained by rotating said incident light +90° or -90° around an axis perpendicular to an axis passing through a point corresponding to said incident light on the Poincare sphere and the center of the Poincare sphere; said second polarization converter converting said polarized light obtained by said first polarization converter into polarized light corresponding to a point obtained by rotating said two polarized light components +90° or -90° around an axis passing through the above-mentioned two points on the Poincaré sphere.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical switch according to claim 1, wherein, in said first and second polarization converters, mutual conversion between the rotational angle of +90° and -90° on the Poincare sphere is simultaneously carried out.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first polarization converter is a Faraday rotator and said second polarization converter is an electro-optic element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first polarization converter is an electro-optic element and said second polarization converter is a Faraday rotator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An optical switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein both said first and second polarization converters are Faraday rotators or electro-optic elements; a λ/4 phase difference device being provided between said first and second polarization converters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical switch according to claim 3 or 4,wherein said Faraday rotator is a 45° Faraday rotator made of Yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical switch according to claim 5, wherein both said first and second polarization converters are 45° Faraday rotators made of Yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical switch according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said electro-optic element is lithium tantalate (LiTa0 3 ) or lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical switch according to claim 5, wherein both said first and second polarization converters are electro-optic devices made of lithium tantalate (LiTaO 3 ) or lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ).
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