Abstract: An improved optical circulator transfers light from a first optical port to a second optical port, and from the second port to a third port. The circulator has non-reciprocal polarization rotators, birefringent beam splitters and combiners, and a polarization-dependent light bending device comprising two tapered birefringent plates. The light bending device compensates for an angle between a first light beam emanating from the first port and a second light beam propagating to the third port. The existence of this angle allows the first and third fibers to be coupled to the light beams using a single lens.

Abstract: An improved optical circulator transfers light from a first optical port to a second optical port, and from the second port to a third port. The circulator has non-reciprocal polarization rotators, birefringent beam splitters and combiners, and a polarization-dependent light bending device comprising two tapered birefringent plates. The light bending device compensates for an angle between a first light beam emanating from the first port and a second light beam propagating to the third port. The existence of this angle allows the first and third fibers to be coupled to the light beams using a single lens.

Abstract: An improved optical circulator transfers light from a first optical port to a second optical port, and from the second port to a third port. The circulator has reciprocal and non-reciprocal polarization rotators, birefringent beam splitters and combiners, and a birefringent walk-off element as well as a polarization-dependent light bending device comprising two tapered birefringent plates. The light bending device compensates for an angle between a first light beam emanating from the first port and a second light beam propagating to the third port. The existence of this angle allows the first and third fibers to be coupled to the light beams using a single lens.

Abstract: An improved optical circulator device transfers light from a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber, and from the second fiber to a third optical fiber. The device comprises reciprocal and non-reciprocal polarization rotators, birefringent beam splitters and combiners, and a birefringent walk-off element. The invention also contains a polarization-dependent light bending device comprising two tapered birefringent plates. The light bending device compensates for an angle between a first light beam emanating from the first fiber and a second light beam exiting through the third fiber. The existence of this angle allows the first and third fibers to be coupled to the light beams using a single lens.