Abstract: Optical devices are described. These devices incorporate a walk-off arrangement along the device length configured for simultaneously moving orthogonal polarization components of a first light signal in at least first and second orthogonal directions. The walk-off configuration includes a junction formed between confronting members which define the first and second orthogonal walk-off directions. The walk-off arrangement defines the first and second orthogonal directions such that the orthogonal polarization components of the first light signal are moved in directions which include a component of movement away from the junction. In this way, contact of the polarization components with the junction attributable to beam spreading is avoided. Moreover, the component of movement away from the junction may serve to compensate for beam spreading in other layers and/or for movement in other layers of the polarization components towards one or more junctions defined in the other layers.

Abstract: As will be described in more detail hereinafter, there are disclosed herein high performance optical circulators and an associated method. The improvement in these circulators comprises an arrangement along the length of the main body for performing a predetermined sequence of optical operations including at least three non-reciprocal polarization rotation steps which are separated from one another by other optical operations (a) on a first light signal as the first light signal passes in a forward direction from a first port to a second port and (b) on a second light signal as the second light signal passes in a rearward direction from the second port to a third port such that a substantial portion of the first light signal exits from the second port and a substantial portion of the second light signal exits from the third port and so that the first and third ports are physically isolated with respect to one another at the first end.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of performing alignment adjustments for bringing a laser into a desired alignment which, in turn, affects light output intensity of the laser. The laser defines an alignable light path within a resonant cavity and includes a birefringent nonlinear material having an input face. The method includes the steps of arranging the nonlinear material in the light path in a way which causes the light path to pass through the input face of the nonlinear material such that the alignment adjustments affect a plurality of parameters which parameters are normally interdependently coupled to one another with respect to each alignment adjustment. One of the parameters being the phase retardance of the birefringent nonlinear material and one of the adjustments is the tilt of the birefringent non-linear material with respect to the light path.