The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 27, 1987
Filed:
Sep. 15, 1986
Applicant:
Inventors:
Assignee:
U.S. Philips Corporation, New York, NY (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G02F / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
350330 ; 3503 / ; 3503 / ;
Abstract
The invention relates to an optical branching device which may be used as an optical isolator, circulator or switch. The device comprises two polarization-sensitive beam splitters. Each beam splitter comprises a prism and a rhombohedral plate between which a liquid crystal film is interposed. An optical device for rotating the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light is arranged between the two beam splitters. The polarization rotation device may comprise a Faraday rotator with a constant or a switchable direction of magnetization and a half-wave plate. Alternatively, the polarization rotation device may comprise a liquid crystal film interposed between two electrodes.