US3617129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interferometric optical isolator
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-10
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Granted: 1971-11-02
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Expires: 1989-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A ring interferometer is provided with a directional anisotropic element, such as a Faraday rotator, to separate the frequencies of the clockwise and counterclockwise travelling waves therein, one of which is chosen as the resonant frequency. The result is that light entering at the resonant frequency through one of the entrance ports of the resulting four-port optical circulator will have to be readily transmitted through the device, while light entering the opposite entrance port at the same frequency will be rejected significantly; the device therefore acts as an optical isolator having high transmission of a forwardly travelling wave and high rejection of a backwardly travelling wave.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L Skolnick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:48
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/09; G02F1/093; G02F1/21; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
A resonant optical isolator comprising a travelling wave interferometer including a beam path which has disposed along said path an anisotropic optical element having an axis for which the optical path length in a forward direction is different from the optical path length in the reverse direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
A resonant optical isolator comprising a travelling wave interferometer including a beam path which has disposed along said path an anisotropic optical element having an axis for which the optical path length in a forward direction is different from the optical path length in the reverse direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
A four-port resonant optical circulator which forms a ring interFerometer and describes a closed-loop optical path providing a different optical path length for waves travelling in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions along the closed path comprising: means for forming the closed-loop optical path including first means for admitting waves into the circulator, and second means for emitting waves from the circulator; and third means for providing around the closed-loop path a clockwise optical path length which is different from the counterclockwise optical path length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
A four-port resonant optical circulator which forms a ring interFerometer and describes a closed-loop optical path providing a different optical path length for waves travelling in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions along the closed path comprising: means for forming the closed-loop optical path including first means for admitting waves into the circulator, and second means for emitting waves from the circulator; and third means for providing around the closed-loop path a clockwise optical path length which is different from the counterclockwise optical path length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
An optical system including a plurality of optical isolators at least one of which is a resonant isolator that comprises a travelling wave interferometer including beam path which has disposed along said path an anisotropic optical element for which the optical path length in a forward direction is different from the optical path length in the reverse direction, said isolators being disposed in optical series circuit relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
An optical system including a plurality of optical isolators at least one of which is a resonant isolator that comprises a travelling wave interferometer including beam path which has disposed along said path an anisotropic optical element for which the optical path length in a forward direction is different from the optical path length in the reverse direction, said isolators being disposed in optical series circuit relationship.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical system according to claim 3 wherein at least one nonresonant optical isolator is included.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein the anisotropic optical element is a pair of quarter-wave plates separated by a Faraday rotator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein the anisotropic optical element is a material having a different index of refraction for waves travelling in opposite directions therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein the first and second means are partially reflecting mirrors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said third means is a Faraday rotator with quarter-wave plates located adjacent to either end thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said third means is an anisotropic optical element having a different index of refraction for waves travelling in opposite directions therethrough.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3466121A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |