US 12,088,343 B2
Photonic integrated circuit-based polarization-independent optical devices
Stephen P. Palese, Redondo Beach, CA (US); and Duane D. Smith, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US)
Assigned to Raytheon Company, Tewksbury, MA (US)
Filed by Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US)
Filed on Apr. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/659,789.
Prior Publication US 2023/0344517 A1, Oct. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. H04B 10/40 (2013.01); G02B 6/27 (2006.01); G02B 6/293 (2006.01)
CPC H04B 10/40 (2013.01) [G02B 6/2706 (2013.01); G02B 6/29301 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a photonic integrated circuit comprising an optical phased array, the optical phased array comprising multiple unit cells, each unit cell comprising:
an antenna element configured to transmit or receive optical signals having a linear polarization of light;
a modulator configured to phase-shift the optical signals transmitted or received by the antenna element; and
a quarter waveplate configured to convert between the linear polarization of light and a circular polarization of light, the quarter waveplate comprising a non-planar quarter waveplate having one of: a thickness that changes in steps or a thickness that changes smoothly.