Method and device for reduction of polarization-dependent effects in a tunable optical component

Abstract

A device and a method for reducing polarization-dependent effects in dynamical optical components based on surface modulation of a polymer gel or membrane is disclosed. The device and method modifies, removes or leads away unwanted reflections from incident light or information carrier communicating with said optical component.

1 . A method of manufacturing a dynamical optical component having reduced polarization-dependent effects, the method comprising: 
 attaching a gel layer or membrane adjacent to a surface of a transparent prism;    forming a set of individually addressable electrodes on a substrate, wherein the electrodes are spaced apart from a surface of said gel or membrane and facing away from said prism; and    minimizing difference in effects on orthogonal states of polarization in incoming light or an information carrier via the inside of said optical component in a path of said incoming light or said information carrier.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein minimizing difference in effects on orthogonal states attenuates or scatters said incoming light or information carrier at an interface surface between said gel and said prism or said membrane and said prism.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising polishing said prism, and ceasing said polishing before optical quality is reached, or by chemical etching of a polished prism surface, or by mechanically scratching said polished prism surface.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein minimizing difference in effects on orthogonal states comprises a part of said gel or membrane surface attached adjacent to said prism non-parallel with said gel or membrane surface facing away from said prism.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising forming at least a part of said prism surface attached adjacent to said gel or membrane surface in a desired shape so as to generate a non-parallel arrangement of said gel or membrane surface and said prism.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising wedge shaping said gel or membrane so as to generate a non-parallel arrangement of said gel or membrane surface and said prism.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein minimizing difference in effects on orthogonal states uses a half-wave plate inserted halfway in said light beam or information carrier beam path.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein minimizing difference in effects on orthogonal states uses an antireflective arrangement on said surface of said prism.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said gel and said prism comprise a dopant so as to affect a reflective index of the at least one of said gel and said prism.  
   
   
       10 . An optical component comprising: 
 a gel layer or membrane attached adjacent to a surface of a transparent prism; and    a substrate with a set of individually addressable electrodes spaced apart from a surface on said gel or membrane facing away from said prism, wherein said surface of said transparent prism is diffuse.    
   
   
       11 . The optical component according to  claim 10 , wherein said surface of said transparent prism has a desired shape of said gel or membrane.  
   
   
       12 . The optical component according to  claim 10 , wherein said surface of said transparent prism comprises a half-wave plate disposed in a cavity in said surface of said transparent prism.  
   
   
       13 . The optical component according to  claim 10 , wherein said gel or membrane is substantially wedge shaped.  
   
   
       14 . The optical component according to  claim 10 , wherein said surface of said prism is substantially anti-reflective.  
   
   
       15 . The optical component according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of said gel and said prism comprise a dopant so as to affect a reflective index of the at least one of said gel and said prism.  
   
   
       16 . A method of using an optical component, the method comprising: 
 providing incident light to the optical component;    directing the incident light to at least one of a gel layer and a membrane attached adjacent to a diffuse surface of a transparent prism, and spaced apart from a substrate with a set of individually addressable electrodes spaced apart from the surface; and    minimizing a difference in effects on orthogonal states of polarization in the incident light.    
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the surface of the transparent prism has a desired shape of the gel or membrane.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the surface of the transparent prism comprises a half-wave plate disposed in a cavity in the surface of the transparent prism.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the gel or membrane is substantially wedge shaped.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the surface of the prism is substantially anti-reflective.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the gel and the prism comprise a dopant so as to affect a reflective index of the gel and/or the prism.