Abstract:
A disclosed optical path switching device includes a polarization bistable VCSEL that emits a beam having a rising polarization plane, a laser light source configured to emit a beam having a polarization plane orthogonal to the rising polarization plane, and an optical path switching unit configured to switch an optical path of the beam emitted from the polarization bistable VCSEL by switching the angle of the rising polarization plane of the beam emitted from the polarization bistable VCSEL. The beam emitted from the polarization bistable VCSEL is incident on an entrance window of the optical path switching unit, and the beam emitted from the laser light source is incident on an exit window of the polarization bistable VCSEL.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive optical scanner of high image quality capable of coping with a high speed, by outputting quickly an image with quick switching of an optical path, without a loss of beam power, while reducing the number of light sources for a VCSEL, and an image forming apparatus using the same capable of coping with a large number of colors. SOLUTION: The polarization bistable VCSEL 20 has a specified leading-up polarizing face, and an outgoing window part of the VCSEL 20 is irradiated with a light beam from a polarizing face orthogonal to the leading-up polarizing face of the VCSEL 20, by a laser light source 5, according to necessity, using a property of switching the polarizing face when irradiating a light emitting face with the orthogonal light beam of the polarizing face. The light beam from the VCSEL 20 gets incident into an incident window of an optical path switching means 14, and the light beam is switched between an upper stage 1a and a lower stage 1b, by transmitting the light beam through a P-polarizing face when in the P-polarizing face, and by reflecting the light beam when in an S-polarizing face, by a PBS 14c. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of eliminating or greatly reducing sensitivity to polarized light of an injected optical signal, to provide a photonic element, and to provide a method of manufacturing such the photonic element. SOLUTION: The photonic element includes one section of a material which is made of a material different from that of another section such that the two sections present different optical birefringent index values. This causes a first set of polarization modes to move in a spectral space at a speed different from a second set of polarization modes. A bias current or bias voltage is used for controlling the overall birefringence effect in the element. Biasing for controlling the birefringence effect is performed such that the TE modes and the TM modes of the element are made to coincide with each other in their respective spectral positions. Thus, the element is made insensitive to the polarization light of any incoming optical signal, or presents substantially reduced sensitivity. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT