Abstract:
There is disclosed an arrangement of two-coordinate deflectors without the 90* polarization rotator between the stages that was previously thought to be essential. This reduction in the number of optical parts is achieved by mutually rotating only the inclined prism interfaces in the successive stages, while maintaining the crystalline axis orientations and electrode orientations the same in the two stages. The new deflector is easier to align and scatters less light than prior prism deflectors; and it will be useful in multiple-pass light deflectors and optical time-division multiplex communication systems.
Abstract:
There is disclosed an arrangement of two stages of electro-optic quadrupole deflectors in which the 90* polarization rotator previously thought to be essential for deflection in orthogonal coordinates has been eliminated. Moreover, the number of optical parts for the two-stage deflection has been reduced from three to one in that both coordinates of deflection can be obtained in successive portions of one continuous electro-optic crystal. This deflector is useful for circular scan deflection and for multiple-pass light deflection, both of which are useful in optical time-division multiplex communication systems. The successive sets of quadrupole electrodes are symmetrically shaped with respect to the axis and are displaced 45* relative to one another about the propagation axis.