Fiber optics polarizer

• US 4,531,811 A
• Filed: 06/14/1983
• Issued: 07/30/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Viavi Solutions, Inc. (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polaroid Corporation (PLR IP Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Hicks, John W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, JOHN D
• Application Number:
  US06/504,232
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.15, 350/96.16, 350/96.13, 350/96.29, 350/96.30, 350/96.33
• US Class Current: 385/11
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2821 using lateral coupling between contiguous fibres to split or combine optical signals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/283 couplers being tunable or adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2835 formed or shaped by thermal treatment, e.g. couplers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2843 the couplers having polarisation maintaining or holding properties polarisation preserving light guides G02B6/105
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3843 with auxiliary facilities for movably aligning or adjusting the fibre within its ferrule, e.g. measuring position or eccentricity testing the alignment of axes, including eccentricity, G01B11/27
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/06737 Fibre having multiple non-coaxial cores, e.g. multiple active cores or separate cores for pump and gain
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/094007 Cladding pumping, i.e. pump light propagating in a clad surrounding the active core
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/094019 Side pumped fibre, whereby pump light is coupled laterally into the fibre via an optical component like a prism, or a grating, or via V-groove coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/50 Amplifier structures not provided for in groups H01S5/02 - H01S5/30

Abstract

A fiber optics polarizer, wherein a multi-core polarization element is inserted to a fiber communications line and a signal to be communicated through the polarizer is carried by a first core and the other polarizations are coupled from the first core into one or more other cores to prevent propagation through the system.

Claims

1. A single mode fiber optics polarizer for use in a system, said polarizer comprising a first core, a second core and a cladding, said second core being of a construction to provide differing propagation constants for two polarization states, said first core porpagating a desired polarization and of characteristics to provide lateral coupling of undesired polarization for a predetermined length with said second core.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said system is a communications system.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said construction includes a material subject to a change of propagation characteristics.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said change is determined by the application of external pressure.

5. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said change is determined by bending said construction.

6. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said change is determined by the shape of said construction.

7. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first and second cores are of matched materials.

8. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cladding is of a material having different index of refraction characteristics than said cores.

9. The invention according to claim 1 wherein coupling of said cores is established for approximately 5 to 10 cms.

10. A single mode fiber optics polarizer, said polarizer comprising:

at least a pair of cores surrounded by cladding, one of said cores being structured to receive and transmit single mode radiation in two different states of polarization, one of which is desired and the other not desired, said cores and said cladding being further structured and arranged with respect to one another for transfer of said undesired state of polarization from said one core into said other core so that only said desired state of polarization emerges from said one core.

11. The fiber optics polarizer of claim 10 further structured to be responsive to the application of an external stimulus for selectively transferring said undesired polarization state from said one core to said other core.

12. The fiber optics polarizer of claim 11 wherein said stimulus is a pressure.