High extinction ratio liquid crystal optical switch

摘要

An optical switch for performing high extinction ratio switching of an optical signal includes a beam polarizing element and one or more optical elements. The optical elements are configured to direct an optical signal along a first or second optical path based on the polarization state of the optical signal as it passes through the optical elements. The optical switch performs high extinction ratio switching of the optical signal by preventing unwanted optical energy from entering an output port by using an absorptive or reflective optical element or by directing the unwanted optical energy along a different optical path.

主权项

1. In an optical device having first and second output ports, a method for switching an input beam to the first output port, said method comprising the steps of:
passing the input beam through a beam polarization unit and directing a primary component of the input beam along a first optical path and a residual component of the input beam along a second optical path; directing the primary component of the input beam to the first output port through the beam polarization unit; and directing the residual component of the input beam to the second output port through the beam polarization unit.