Polarization maintaining optical rotary joint

摘要

An optical rotating data transmission device for polarization-maintaining transmission of linearly polarized light includes at least one first collimator for coupling on first light-waveguides, and also a second collimator for coupling on second light-waveguides, the second collimator being supported to be rotatable relative to the first collimator about a rotation axis. At least two λ/4 plates for converting linear polarization to circular polarization and vice-versa are provided in between a plate for attaching optical fibers and a micro lens system.

主权项

1. A polarization-maintaining optical rotary data transmission device configured to transmit linearly polarized light between first and second rotatably interconnected waveguides, having two collimator assemblies that are optically directed to each other and aligned along a rotational axis, and defining an optical path between said collimator assemblies, each collimator assembly including:
a plate to which a corresponding waveguide is affixed; a polarization converter located at a first side of the plate opposing said corresponding waveguide such as to be separated from said corresponding waveguide by the plate and in optical communication with said corresponding waveguide through the plate; a micro-optic collimator located at a side of the polarization converter opposing the plate such as to be separated from the plate by said polarization converter, said micro-optic collimator including a plurality of lenses monolithically attached to one another to form a lens unit, said lens unit adapted to couple light between the corresponding waveguide and free space while transmitting circularly polarized light, said lens unit having a surface at which said micro-optic collimator is affixed to the polarization converter; wherein the polarization converter is mounted between the collimator and the plate by a means including one of glue, bond, and weld.