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. 12, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 04, 1994
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A polarization independent optical isolator for use in optical communication systems is provided. This optical isolator functions to provide dual-way optical isolation wherein an input optical signal entering in the isolation direction is transmitted through the optical isolator twice using a reflecting member, and includes a magnetooptic plate and a birefringent plate disposed between the magnetooptic plate and the reflecting member. The birefringent plate aligns two linearly polarized optical signals in a transmitting direction, having planes of polarization rotated through a predetermined angle by the magnetooptic plate, on a given optical path with a preselected spatial displacement therebetween for allowing transmission of the optical signals traveling in the transmitting direction, while it orients two linearly polarized optical signals in the isolation direction, having planes of polarization rotated through the predetermined angle by the magnetooptic plate, out of the given optical path for blocking transmission of the optical signals traveling in the isolation direction.