Wavelength discrimination filter for infrared wavelengths

Details Wavelength discrimination filter for infrared wavelengths Wavelength discrimination filter for infrared wavelengths

2006-09-29

2008-08-26

Allen, Stephone B. (Department: 2872)

Optical: systems and elements

Polarization without modulation

By relatively adjustable superimposed or in series polarizers

C359S352000, C359S506000, C349S201000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07417796

ABSTRACT:
An optical comb filter has polarizers placed before and after two or more birefringent elements, each having a fixed retarder and an aligned tunable liquid crystal. The birefringent elements are equal in birefringence and thickness and are tuned in unison. Wavelength-dependent polarization state changes are contributed by retardation in unequal proportions on the fast and slow axes of the successive birefringent elements. The filter is tolerant of rotational alignment errors. A two element filter uses angles of 22.5 and 67.5°; a three element version has 12.5, 45 and 77.5°; and a four element filter has 7.5, 29.5, 60.5 and 82.5°; all these angles being ±5°.

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