High power handling polarization switches

摘要

Liquid crystal devices are described that maintain performance of polarization/amplitude modulation under high irradiance conditions. Configurations that isolate polarizing elements under high thermal load are discussed which allow other elements, such as glass, which may be sensitive to stress birefringence to remain near optimum thermal conditions.

主权项

1. A polarization switch, comprising:
a first assembly operable to receive light, comprising:
a first end cap;a first polarizer adjacent to the first endcap and located to receive light from the first end cap;a second end cap adjacent to the first polarizer and located to receive light from the first polarizer; a second assembly located to receive light from the first assembly, comprising:
a third end cap;a second polarizer adjacent to the third end cap and located to receive light from the third end cap;a first cell adjacent to the second polarizer and located to receive light from the second polarizer;a first compensator located adjacent to the first cell and located to receive light from the first cell;a second compensators located adjacent to the first compensator and located to receive light from the first compensator;a second cell adjacent to the second substrate and located to receive light from the second compensator;a third compensator adjacent to the second cell and located to receive light from the second cell;a fourth end cap adjacent to the third compensator and located to receive light from the third compensator; wherein an air gap separates the first assembly from the second assembly.