3-terminal light circulator

Abstract

Abstract PURPOSE: To perform switching of the optical paths of the 3-terminal light circulator by providing a total reflecting mechanism to one of a pair of double-refractive prisms interposed with optically anisotropic crystal and letting the two orthogonal polarizing components be selectively transmitted. CONSTITUTION: Light 31 of random-polarized light inputted from terminal 1 passes through a double-refractive prism 4 and produces the light 32 of P polarization. When the light 32 passes through optically anisotropic crystal 6, its polarization direction turns 45° and light 33 is outputted. This light passes through a prism 5 and is outputted to terminal 2. The random-polarized light 39 inputted from terminal 3 is totally reflected by the total reflecting mechanism 7 provided to the double-refractive prism 5, again goes through the same optical path, reaches the double-refractive prism 4, is emitted in the direction of the direction of terminal 1 and is outputted to the terminal 1 as light 44. According to the terminal circulator with this constitution, the desired function as the optical path switching element may be effected. COPYRIGHT: (C)1980,JPO&Japio

Inventors

• 👤 Masaaki Kato
• 👤 Mitsuaki Nishie
• 👤 Yuji Hamazaki
• 👤 Satoru Iguchi

Bibliographic Details