Tracy V Hawk

US Patent:

7147388, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

Dec 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/321752

Inventors:

Randy P. Goettsche - Phoenix AZ, US
Karl A. Fetting - Glendale AZ, US
Glen A. Sanders - Scottsdale AZ, US
John H. Shannon - Scottsdale AZ, US
Tracy L. Hawk - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

NxtPhase Corporation - Vancouver

International Classification:

G02B 6/255

US Classification:

385 95, 385 11, 385136

Abstract:

The polarization state of a light wave is changed by a fiber polanrzation retardation device constructed by a method including employment of a pair of clamping fixtures, and a series of steps including clamping, cleaving, splicing, releasing, clamping, and cleaving, so as to achieve precise optical fiber lengths to achieve a desired polarization retarding device.

US Patent:

6535654, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

Dec 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/222411

Inventors:

Randy P. Goettsche - Phoenix AZ
Karl A. Fetting - Glendale AZ
Glen A. Sanders - Scottsdale AZ
John H. Shannon - Scottsdale AZ
Tracy L. Hawk - Phoenix AZ

Assignee:

NxtPhase Technologies, SRL

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 11, 385 31, 385 50, 385 96, 385 97, 385 99

Abstract:

In many optics applications, it is desirable to retard the polarization of a light wave, i. e. , to change the polarization state of a light wave. In a method for retarding polarization of a light wave, a first linear polarization-maintaining fiber having a first beat length is spliced to a second polarization-maintaining fiber having a high birefringence and a second beat length. The second fiber is then cleaved to a length which is a fraction of the second beat length. The first fiber and the second fiber may be secured in a removable or permanent capillary. A light wave is transmitted into the first fiber and the polarization state of the light wave is determined. To adjust the polarization state, the second fiber may be lapped against an abrasive substance. The second fiber may be repeatedly lapped until a desired polarization state is achieved. In an alternate method, a first linear polarization-maintaining fiber is spliced to a second polarization-maintaining fiber having a high birefringence and a beat length.