Prism optical device and polarizing optical device

摘要

A polarizer optical device for receiving and transmitting light is provided. The polarizer optical device includes a light separating section for separating the light into two polarization components which are othogonal with respect to one another. Further, the optical device is provided with a polarization rotating section for rotating the two polarization components so that a phase difference between the two polarization components othogonal to each other is 1/2 lambda . Finally, a light combining section is provided for combining the light into a outputted light beam. The light combining section may be formed with a combination of birefringent prisms and isotropic mediums interfacing one another. In these configurations, the refractive index of each prism or medium is selected so that an angle formed with two unparallel incident lights differs from an angle formed with two output or transmitted lights. The two unparallel incident lights and the two output lights travel on a plane surface which is vertical with respect to the interface surface between the two prisms.