Orthogonal optical path length extender
First Claim
1. A system to adjust light path length comprising a digital light path length modulator, the digital light path length modulator comprising:
- a polarization modulator to receive light and to modulate a polarization of some or all of the light; and
an optical path length extender (OPLE) to direct the light entering the OPLE with a first polarization along a first light path through the OPLE, and to direct the light entering the OPLE with a second polarization along a second light path through the OPLE, the second light path through the OPLE having a light path length longer than the first light path length through the OPLE;
a second digital light path length modulator, the second digital light path length modulator comprising;
a second polarization modulator, to receive the polarized light exiting from the OPLE, and to modulate the polarization of some or all of the polarized light; and
a second OPLE to further alter relative light path lengths;
thereby creating a plurality of digitally selectable path lengths.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system to adjust light path length comprising a digital light path length modulator is described. The digital light path length modulator comprises a polarization modulator to receive polarized light and to modulate a polarization of some or all of the polarized light, and an optical path length extender (OPLE) to direct the light entering the OPLE with a first polarization along a first light path through the OPLE, and to direct the light entering the OPLE with a second polarization along a second light path through the OPLE, the second light path through the OPLE having a light path length longer than the first light path length through the OPLE.
67 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system to adjust light path length comprising a digital light path length modulator, the digital light path length modulator comprising:
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a polarization modulator to receive light and to modulate a polarization of some or all of the light; and an optical path length extender (OPLE) to direct the light entering the OPLE with a first polarization along a first light path through the OPLE, and to direct the light entering the OPLE with a second polarization along a second light path through the OPLE, the second light path through the OPLE having a light path length longer than the first light path length through the OPLE; a second digital light path length modulator, the second digital light path length modulator comprising; a second polarization modulator, to receive the polarized light exiting from the OPLE, and to modulate the polarization of some or all of the polarized light; and a second OPLE to further alter relative light path lengths; thereby creating a plurality of digitally selectable path lengths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system comprising:
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an optical path length extender (OPLE) having two light paths having different path lengths, such that light entering the OPLE with a first polarization is directed through a first light path, and light entering the OPLE with a second polarization is directed through a second light path having a light path length longer than the first light path length through the OPLE; a polarization modulator, to receive the polarized light exiting from the OPLE, and to modulate the polarization of some or all of the polarized light; and a second OPLE to further alter relative light path lengths; thereby creating a plurality of digitally selectable path lengths. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An orthogonal optical path length extender (OPLE) comprising a rectangular cuboid, the orthogonal OPLE comprising:
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a first angled polarization sensitive reflective element with a first orientation extending along a first diagonal from an entry surface to an exit surface; a second angled polarization sensitive reflective element having a second orientation extending along a second diagonal from the entry surface to the exit surface, the second angled polarization sensitive reflective element perpendicular to the first polarization sensitive reflective element, the second angled polarization sensitive reflective element crossing the first angled polarization sensitive reflective element; a quarter wave plate and a mirror positioned on a first side of the OPLE, for reflecting light and changing a type of polarization of the light on the first side; and a second quarter wave plate and a second mirror on a second side of the OPLE; a path length extender positioned above the second quarter wave plate on the second side; such that light with a first polarization has a light path that is longer by two times a height of the path length extender. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification