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:
Nov. 29, 1988
Filed:
Jul. 03, 1986
William E Durell, Antioch, IL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A continuously variable ratio beam splitter for dividing an initial p-polarized coherent light beam into two polarized output beams, with a range variation of zero to 100%, comprises an optical array including a right angle input prism facing a first right angle output prism along their hypotenuses and a penta prism coupling one side surface of the input prism to a side surface of a second right angle output prism; the two output prisms produce the output beams by division of light from an input beam impinging on the other side surface of the input prism. Variation of the intensity ratio of the output beams is accomplished by rotating the array so that the input light beam strikes the hypotenuse surface of the input prism between the critical angle and the Brewster angle for that prism surface. Simple one-spring positioner devices hold two fiber optic cables with the fiber ends at the foci of two lenses used to collect the output beams; those positioners provide rotational adjustment to preserve uniform polarization in the light outputs from the optical fibers. A device for demonstrating interference effects, comprising two simple attachments for the distal ends of the fiber optic cables, is also disclosed.