POLARIZATION-INDEPENDENT OPTICAL SWITCH COMPOSED OF HOLOGRAPHIC OPTICAL-ELEMENTS

Abstract

A novel 2 x 2 polarization-independent optical switch with holographic optical elements is proposed. The switch consists of an electro-optic half-wave plate sandwiched between two pairs of holographic polarization beam splitters. Normally incident input and output couplings of this compact and Lightweight device provide better flexibility and easier alignment for system applications.