Abstract

A new type of optical isolator for fibers is proposed in this paper. A birefringent wedge used to separate and combine the polarized light is developed, giving the isolator low forward loss and high isolation. The antireflection process at the fiber endface reduces the forward loss and reflected return. A forward loss of 0.8 dB, a backward loss of 35 dB, and a reflected return of −32 dB were obtained. These characteristics were measured from fiber to fiber using multimode fibers with 50-μm core diam at a wavelength of 1.3 μm. Details of the design, fabrication, and characteristics of this isolator are presented.

© 1982 Optical Society of America

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