| 摘要 |
1,140,801. Polarizing apparatus. WESTERN ELECTRIC CO. Inc. Feb.23, 1966 [March 8, 1965], No. 7833/66. Heading G2J. Multiple output beams are obtained from a single input beam L, Fig.1, by arranging three or more birefringent bodies P 1 , P 2 , P 3 &c. on a common optical axis, the bodies P 1 , P 2 , P 3 &c. being so orientated and disposed that light beams passing through and emerging from each of the bodies, as a result of an axial beam incident on the first body P 1 , are incident on the body next adjacent so that 2<SP>n </SP>output beams are produced from a single input beam where n is the number of bodies, the arrangement being such that at least all the beams incident on bodies other than the first are polarized. As shown Wollaston prisms P 1 - P 4 are used each prism being at 45 degrees to the preceding one and the thicknesses increasing successively from P 1 to P 4 so that the output beams are equally spaced. In a modification, each prism is at 90 degrees to the preceding one and quarter-wave or half-wave plates orientated at 45 degrees or 22¢ degrees respectively to the optic axis of the next adjacent lower order prism are arranged between successive prisms. Alternatively, the rotators may be Faraday rotators or optically active materials such as quartz or sugar solutions. |
