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:
May. 23, 2006
Filed:
Oct. 01, 2001
Shusuke Wada, Minato-ku, JP;
Shohei Abe, Minato-ku, JP;
Tomokazu Imura, Minato-ku, JP;
Hiroaki Ono, Minato-ku, JP;
Tsugio Tokumasu, Minato-ku, JP;
Shusuke Wada, Minato-ku, JP;
Shohei Abe, Minato-ku, JP;
Tomokazu Imura, Minato-ku, JP;
Hiroaki Ono, Minato-ku, JP;
Tsugio Tokumasu, Minato-ku, JP;
FDK Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A first separating/combining birefringent element, first and second optical-path controlling birefringent elements, and a second separating/combining birefringent elementare spaced apart. Between the first separating/combining birefringent element and the first optical-path controlling birefringent element, a first polarization rotating meansis arranged for changing a polarization direction from an orthogonal relationship to a parallel relationship, or from a parallel relationship to an orthogonal relationship. Also, between the second optical-path controlling birefringent element and the second separating/combining birefringent element, a second polarization rotating meansis arranged. The first and second optical-path controlling birefringent elements are oppositely arranged symmetrically on optical axis about an arrangement center thereof, between which is arranged a ½-wavelength plate for rotating a polarization direction of a light on a central optical path 90 degrees, thereby structuring an optical circulator. With a similar structure, an optical switch can be structured by using a ±45-degree variable Faraday rotator in the first and second polarization rotation switch means.