Faraday Rotator, Optical Isolator, Polarizer, and Diamond-Like Carbon Thin Film

Abstract

A diamond-like carbon (DLC) film having refractive indices distributed in a pattern oriented within the plane of the film or on a bias with respect to the thickness of the film. Such films may be useful in low-cost Faraday rotators, in polarizers (analyzers), and in magnetic substances, and in Faraday rotators and optical isolators that can handle a plurality of wavelengths. The refractive index structure may be imparted to the DLC film, for example, by irradiating at least one region of the film with either a particle or energy beam.

1 . A DLC film characterized by having refractive indices distributed in a pattern oriented within a plane of the film, the pattern including a plurality of alternating first and second linear regions in the plane of the film, the first regions having a first refractive index and the second regions having a second refractive index.  
   
   
       2 . The DLC film of  claim 1 , wherein the alternating first and second linear regions are oriented on a bias with respect to a thickness of the film.  
   
   
       3 . The DLC film of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second linear regions each have an in-plane thickness of less than about 200 nm.  
   
   
       4 . The DLC film of  claim 1 , comprising at least 10 of each of said first and second linear regions.