Optical isolator, attenuator and polarizer system and method for integrated optics

摘要

An optical system and associated method are provided. Included is a first branch capable of allowing light to pass therethrough in a forward direction and a reverse direction. The first branch includes a first medium with a first refractive index (n₁), and a first end and a second end. Also included is a second branch capable of allowing light to pass therethrough in the forward direction. The second branch includes a second medium with a second refractive index (n₂, with n₂n₁), and a first end and a second end. The second end of the second branch is further coupled to the first branch to form an angle (θ₂). In use, θ₁≦sin⁻¹(n₂/n₁) in order to prevent the light passing through the first branch in the reverse direction from passing into the second branch, where θ₁ is the incident angle of the light passing in the reverse direction from the first branch to the second branch.