×

Electro-optical switch for unpolarized optical signals

  • US 4,516,837 A
  • Filed: 02/22/1983
  • Issued: 05/14/1985
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An optical switch comprising:

  • (a) polarizing beam splitter means having first and second faces, for separating an incident light beam of arbitrary polarization into first and second light beams with first and second orthogonal linearly polarized states respectively, said first light beam refracted to propagate along a first path, and said second light beam refracted to propagate along a second path,(b) first reflector means positioned to deflect said second light beam along a path parallel to said first path,(c) first polarization converter means positioned in said second path for rotating said light beam polarization from said second linearly polarized state to substantially said first linearly polarized state, and(d) first and second electrically responsive path selector means positioned in said parallel paths of said first and second light beams for selecting one of a first plurality of optical paths for said first light beam and one of a second plurality of optical paths for said second light beam.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×