Beam shutter
First Claim
1. A beam shutter comprising:
- a plane-parallel birefringent element for separation arranged to separate input light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on the same optical path;
a plane-parallel birefringent element for synthesis arranged to synthesize light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on different optical paths, for output;
said birefringent element for separation and said birefringent element for synthesis being disposed in a spaced apart relationship; and
polarization rotating means having a variable Faraday rotator, said polarization rotating means interposed between said birefringent element for separation and said birefringent element for synthesis, for magneto-optically controlling the polarization directions;
wherein transmission and interruption of output light beams are controlled by switching the polarization directions by means of said variable Faraday rotator.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A beam shutter is provided which comprises a plane-parallel birefringent element for separation arranged to separate input light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on the same optical path; a plane-parallel birefringent element for synthesis arranged to synthesize light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on different optical paths, for output; the birefringent element for separation and the birefringent element for synthesis being disposed in a spaced apart relationship; and polarization rotating means having a variable Faraday rotator, the polarization rotating means interposed between the birefringent element for separation and the birefringent element for synthesis, for magneto-optically controlling the polarization directions; wherein transmission and interruption of output light beams are controlled by switching the polarization directions by means of the variable Faraday rotator.
54 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A beam shutter comprising:
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a plane-parallel birefringent element for separation arranged to separate input light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on the same optical path;
a plane-parallel birefringent element for synthesis arranged to synthesize light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on different optical paths, for output;
said birefringent element for separation and said birefringent element for synthesis being disposed in a spaced apart relationship; and
polarization rotating means having a variable Faraday rotator, said polarization rotating means interposed between said birefringent element for separation and said birefringent element for synthesis, for magneto-optically controlling the polarization directions;
whereintransmission and interruption of output light beams are controlled by switching the polarization directions by means of said variable Faraday rotator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A beam shutter comprising:
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a plane-parallel birefringent element for separation arranged to separate input light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on the same optical path;
a plane-parallel birefringent element for optical path control arranged to control optical paths depending on the polarization directions;
a plane-parallel birefringent element for synthesis arranged to synthesize light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on different optical paths, for output;
said birefringent element for separation, said birefringent element for optical path control and said birefringent element for synthesis being disposed in a spaced apart relationship; and
polarization rotating means interposed between said birefringent element for separation and said birefringent element for optical path control and between said birefringent element for optical path control and said birefringent element for synthesis, said polarization rotating means rotating the polarization directions through 45 degrees, at least one of said polarization rotating means having a ±
45 degree variable Faraday rotator;
whereintransmission and interruption of output light beams are controlled by switching the polarization directions by means of said variable Faraday rotator. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A beam shutter comprising:
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a plane-parallel birefringent element for separation arranged to separate input light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on the same optical path;
a plane-parallel birefringent element for optical path control arranged to control optical paths depending on the polarization directions;
a plane-parallel birefringent element for synthesis arranged to synthesize light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on different optical paths, for output;
said birefringent element for separation, said birefringent element for optical path control and said birefringent element for synthesis being disposed in a spaced apart relationship;
first polarization rotating means interposed between said birefringent element for separation and said birefringent element for optical path control, for converting the polarization directions from orthogonal to parallel; and
second polarization rotating means interposed between said birefringent element for optical path control and said birefringent element for synthesis, for converting the polarization directions from orthogonal to parallel;
at least one of said first and second polarization rotating means having a ±
45 degree variable Faraday rotator;
whereintransmission and interruption of output light beams are controlled by switching the polarization directions by means of said variable Faraday rotator - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A beam shutter comprising:
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a first plane-parallel birefringent element for separation arranged to separate input light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on the same optical path;
is a first plane-parallel birefringent element for synthesis arranged to synthesize light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on different optical paths, for output;
said first birefringent element for separation and said first birefringent element for synthesis being disposed in a spaced apart relationship;
a second plane-parallel birefringent element for separation arranged to separate input light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on the same optical path;
a second plane-parallel birefringent element for synthesis arranged to synthesize light beams having orthogonal polarization directions on different optical paths, for output;
said second birefringent element for separation and said second birefringent element for synthesis being disposed in a spaced apart relationship and located posterior to said first birefringent element for separation and said first birefringent element for synthesis;
first polarization rotating means having a variable Faraday rotator, said first polarization rotating means interposed between said first birefringent element for separation and said first birefringent element for synthesis, for controlling the polarization directions;
second polarization rotating means having a variable Faraday rotator, said second polarization rotating means interposed between said second birefringent element for separation and said second birefringent element for synthesis, for controlling the polarization directions;
whereintransmission and interruption of output light beams are controlled by switching the polarization directions by means of said first and second variable Faraday rotators. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification