LINEAR LIQUID-CRYSTAL OPTICAL-BEAM POLARIZER Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: polarizers with parallel disposition of output-beam polarization planes. SUBSTANCE: polarizer has two optical elements of transparent isotropic material provided with parallel orienting-surface internal faces and layer of liquid-crystal material in-between, index of refraction of the latter for common beam being lower than that of each optical element. Orienting surfaces are made so that angle between optical axis of liquid-crystal material on surface and this very surface is brought to value ranging between 0 and 90 deg. on condition that extreme angles of mentioned range on both surfaces at a time are excluded; optical axes of liquid- crystal material on different orienting surfaces are not relatively collinear. Angle between optical axis of liquid-crystal material on surface and this very surface may be equal for each of surfaces, say, 45 deg. Optical elements may be made in the form of Dove prisms whose bases function as orienting surfaces. Polarizer ensures any desired positioning of output- beam orienting surfaces. EFFECT: facilitated manufacture. 4 cl, 3 dwg