Depolarization of light in an optical switching system

摘要

Depolarization of light by utilizing a small concentration of refractive or diffractive microparticles in an optical core of an optical coupler that is coupling light from polarized source to a polarization type optical switch such as a ferroelectric liquid crystal. The result is that light from the laser is bent slightly by either the refractive or diffractive effects of the microspheres which causes scattering; and as a consequence, the light is depolarized in a relatively short distance within the optical core before reaching the liquid crystal switch. The microparticles maybe closely matched to the index of refraction of the core material resulting in smaller deflection angles and lower reflections. In addition, these microparticles match the specific gravity of the core material such that they do not settle out of suspension while the core material is being hardened from a semi-liquid state.