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:
Dec. 06, 2005
Filed:
Dec. 18, 2002
Hiroshi Nakanishi, Yawata, JP;
Hiroshi Nakanishi, Yawata, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An optical device includes an optical path shifter that has at least one optical path shifting section. The optical path shifting section includes: a polarization modulator for changing the polarization state of an incoming light ray; and a birefringent element for shifting the optical path of an outgoing light ray of the polarization modulator based on the polarization state of the outgoing light ray. The optical device further includes a polarization corrector, which selectively changes the polarization state of an outgoing light ray of the optical path shifter, thereby keeping the polarization state of an outgoing light ray of the polarization corrector substantially unchanged no matter where the optical path has been shifted.