Optical: systems and elements – Optical modulator – Light wave temporal modulation
Patent
1998-09-22
2000-10-24
Epps, Georgia
Optical: systems and elements
Optical modulator
Light wave temporal modulation
359245, 359254, 359255, G02F 103
Patent
active
061376191
ABSTRACT:
An optical modulator is provided to control the intensity of a transmitted or reflected light. In a transmission mode, a separator splits arbitrarily polarized light into two polarization rays and one is made to travel a separate path from the other. A recombiner causes the two rays to recombine at an output unless an electro-optic phase retarder changes the polarization of the two rays, in which case, both of them miss the output by an amount which is a function of the voltage on the retarder. A normally-off version with low polarization mode dispersion is obtained by changing the orientation of the recombiner. A normally-on version with low polarization mode dispersion is obtained with a passive polarization direction rotator. Similar results can be obtained in a reflection mode where the input and output are on the same side of the modulator. Versions using a GRIN lens are particularly suited to modulation of light out of and back into fiber-optic cables. The device can be operated as a variable optical attenuator, an optical switch, or a high speed modulator and is insensitive to polarization of the input light. A preferred material for the phase retarder is a hot-pressed ceramic lead lanthanum zirconate titanate composition.
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International Search Report Form PCT/ISA/21 for International Application No. PCT/US/07761, prepared Jan. 12, 2000.
Chen Qiushui
Jiang Hua
Melman Paul
Wang Gary Y.
Zhang Run
Epps Georgia
NZ Applied Technologies, Incorporated
Spector David N.
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