초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a single-mode single-polarization optical fiber which is capable of functioning as an in-line fiber polarizer which allows only one polarization of the fundamental mode to propagate along the fiber. In structure, the fiber comprises a central core region (10) and a c

The present invention relates to a single-mode single-polarization optical fiber which is capable of functioning as an in-line fiber polarizer which allows only one polarization of the fundamental mode to propagate along the fiber. In structure, the fiber comprises a central core region (10) and a cladding region (12) which is substantially in contact with the central core region. The various regions are formed such that the refractive index of an outer cladding region is greater than the refractive index of an inner cladding region but less than that of the core region. The arrangement of the present invention produces stress-birefringence between the cladding regions and the central core region sufficient to split the two orthogonal polarizations (n�⊥) of the fundamental mode such that the desired polarization propagates freely and the undesired polarization is attenuated by tunneling through the cladding layers.

대표청구항 ▼

An optical fiber for propagating a single polarization of a single mode wave comprising a central core region comprising a first refractive index (n1); a cladding layer surrounding the central core region and comprising a refractive index (n2) less than said refractive index of said central core reg

An optical fiber for propagating a single polarization of a single mode wave comprising a central core region comprising a first refractive index (n1); a cladding layer surrounding the central core region and comprising a refractive index (n2) less than said refractive index of said central core region; a surrounding region formed in intimate contact with said cladding layer and comprising a refractive index (n3) greater than said refractive index of said cladding layer and less than said refractive index of said central core region; and means for inducing a stress birefringence capable of separating said single mode wave into a pair of orthogonally polarized waves wherein a first orthogonally polarized wave is propagated down said central core region and a second orthogonally polarized wave is attenuated by tunneling through said cladding layer.