US3612652A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nonreciprocal optical device
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-05
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Granted: 1971-10-12
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Expires: 1989-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An optical device having the property that if a light beam is propagated at it in one direction the light beam is totally reflected and if the light beam is propagated at it in the reverse direction it is totally transmitted. A birefringent device has its optical axis in a predetermined direction with respect to the location of incidence of a light beam on it. The birefringent device is disposed in a suitable medium having an index of refraction which is substantially the same as the higher index of refraction of the birefringent device. When the light beam is propagated at a predetermined angle with respect to the birefringent device the nonreciprocal operation of the device occurs.
Inventors
- 👤 Millard A Habegger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:03
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/28; G02B27/283; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/35; G02F1/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An optical device operable in nonreciprocal manner on a light beam linearly polarized in a given plane and incident on it, comprising a birefringent device having an incident face and disposed in an optical medium having an index of refraction substantially the same as the higher index of refraction of the birefringent device, said device having an optic axis lying in the given plane and formed at a predetermined acute angle with respect to said face, said device operating in a first mode when the light beam is propagated to the face in a first direction with its linear polarization state substantially parallel to the optic axis of the device, and said device operating in a second mode when the light beam is propagated to the face in a second direction with its linear polarization state substantially perpendicular to the optic axis of the device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
An optical device operable in nonreciprocal manner on a light beam linearly polarized in a given plane and incident on it, comprising a birefringent device having an incident face and disposed in an optical medium having an index of refraction substantially the same as the higher index of refraction of the birefringent device, said device having an optic axis lying in the given plane and formed at a predetermined acute angle with respect to said face, said device operating in a first mode when the light beam is propagated to the face in a first direction with its linear polarization state substantially parallel to the optic axis of the device, and said device operating in a second mode when the light beam is propagated to the face in a second direction with its linear polarization state substantially perpendicular to the optic axis of the device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a plate of positive birefringent material and the index of refraction of the medium is substantially the same as the extraordinary index of refraction of said device and the first mode of operation is substantially total transmission of the light beam through said device and the second mode of operation is substantially total reflection of the light beam by said device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a plate of negative birefringent material and the index of refraction of the medium is substantially the same as the ordinary index of refraction of said device and the first mode of operation is substantially total reflection of the light beam by said device and the second mode of operation is substantially total transmission of the light beam through said device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
160 words
An optical device operable in nonreciprocal manner on a light beam linearly polarized in a given plane and incident on it, comprising a medium having a predetermined index of refraction, and birefringent means with a higher index of refraction substantially the same as said predetermined index, said birefringent means being disposed in said medium and having said light beam incident on the face thereof and having an optic axis formed at a predetermined acute angle to said face and lying in said given plane, said light beam being substantially totally reflected at the face of the device when the beam is propagated in a first direction with a linear polarization state having a first relationship to said optic axis and said light beam is substantially totally transmitted at the face of the device when the beam is propagated in a second direction with a linear polarization having a second relationship to said optic axis substantially orthogonal to the first relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
160 words
An optical device operable in nonreciprocal manner on a light beam linearly polarized in a given plane and incident on it, comprising a medium having a predetermined index of refraction, and birefringent means with a higher index of refraction substantially the same as said predetermined index, said birefringent means being disposed in said medium and having said light beam incident on the face thereof and having an optic axis formed at a predetermined acute angle to said face and lying in said given plane, said light beam being substantially totally reflected at the face of the device when the beam is propagated in a first direction with a linear polarization state having a first relationship to said optic axis and said light beam is substantially totally transmitted at the face of the device when the beam is propagated in a second direction with a linear polarization having a second relationship to said optic axis substantially orthogonal to the first relationship.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the device is a plate of negative birefringent material and the acute angle of the optic axis of said device with respect to the incident face is determined for both total reflection and total transmission from:
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
A directional beam splitter comprising a birefringent plate having first and second incident faces and an optic axis positioned to form an acute angle with said incident faces, first and second optical elements with optical windows therein and having a refractive index equal to the higher index of refraction of said birefringent plate, and a medium having an index of refraction corresponding to the higher index of refraction of said plate for disposition between a respective one of said elements and a respective one of said faces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
A directional beam splitter comprising a birefringent plate having first and second incident faces and an optic axis positioned to form an acute angle with said incident faces, first and second optical elements with optical windows therein and having a refractive index equal to the higher index of refraction of said birefringent plate, and a medium having an index of refraction corresponding to the higher index of refraction of said plate for disposition between a respective one of said elements and a respective one of said faces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-11 | 1975-04-12 | 1975-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-11 | 1979-04-12 | 1979-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-11 | 1983-04-12 | 1983-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |