Apparatusfor controlling the rotation of the plane of linear polarization of linearly polarized radiant energy traversing an element of chromium chalcogenide spinel magnetic semiconductor with elliptically polarized radiant energy

摘要

Apparatus employing a light beam to affect another light beam. A primary beam of linearly polarized monochromatic light is directed on an element of chromium chalcogenide spinel magnetic semiconductor, specifically single crystal CdCr.sub.2 Se.sub.4. A control beam of monochromatic light is selectively elliptically polarized and directed at the element. As the light beams traverse the same path through the element the circularly polarized control beam interacts with the element thereby changing the effect of the element on the linearly polarized primary beam to rotate the plane of linear polarization of the primary beam. A linear polarization analyzer receives the primary beam from the element and passes, blocks, or diverts light depending upon the plane of linear polarization of the incident light.