Polarization independent coherent lightwave detection arrangement.

摘要

A polarization independent coherent lightwave detection arrangement is disclosed which utilizes an optical hybrid (11) including a single polarization beam splitter (12) and a set of three polarization maintaining optical couplers (one input (22), two output (16,20)). By controlling the polarization state of the local oscillator to remain at a fixed value, polarization independent recovery of a transmitted data signal may be accomplished. Phase independence may be incorporated by replacing the pair of output polarization maintaining optical couplers with a pair of phase diversity optical hybrids. <IMAGE>