OPTICAL DEVICE FOR BEAM COMBINING AND/OR ROUTING AND METHOD

摘要

A beam combining device comprising at least one beam splitter and phase adjustment circuitry. The at least one beam splitter comprises a semi-reflective surface, first and second inputs, and first and second outputs operatively connected to receive first and second light beams. The semi-reflective surface has first and second sides positioned such that light entering from one input is partially reflected through one output and partially transmitted through another output. The phase adjustment circuitry adjusts the relative phases of the first and second light beams so that light transmitted through the semi reflective surface from one input may be adjusted to have a phase which can cancels or constructively adds to light reflected from another input. Light having a combined power of the light beams, or a fraction thereof, may be selectively emitted through a selective output depending upon the adjustment of phases. Also, a method of operation is claimed.

主权项

1. A beam combining device comprising:
at least one beam splitter comprising a semi-reflective surface, first and second inputs, and first and second outputs; the at least one beam splitter operatively connected to receive first and second light beams at the first and second inputs, respectively; the semi-reflective surface having first and second sides positioned such that light entering the first input and illuminating the first side is partially reflected through the first output and partially transmitted through the second output; and light entering the second input illuminating the second side is partially transmitted though the first output and partially reflected through the second output; phase adjustment circuitry for adjusting the relative phases of the first and second light beams; the phases being adjustable such that when light transmitted through the semi reflective surface from the first input has a phase which cancels light reflected from the semi reflective surface from the second input, and light reflected from the semi-reflective surface from first input constructively adds to the light transmitted through the semi-reflective surface from the second input, then light having the combined power of the first and second light beams is emitted through the first output; and when light transmitted through the semi-reflective surface from the first input has a phase which constructively adds to light reflected from the semi-reflective surface from the second input, and light reflected from the semi-reflective surface from first input destructively interferes with the light transmitted through the semi-reflective surface from the second input, then light having the combined power of the first and second light beams is emitted through the second output; whereby depending upon the adjustment of phases of the first and second light beams, the power of the light outputted from either the first or second outputs may be controlled.