| 20100079863 | OPTICAL ELEMENT, METHOD FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF, AND USAGE THEREOF - The invention relates to an optical element, a method for the production thereof, and the usage thereof as an isolator or polarizer. An inventive optical element for a frequency window of the electromagnetic spectrum comprises a first component which has the function of a quarter wavelength plate, and a second component joined thereto which has a circular dichroism. When the first component is exposed to a linearly polarized wave, the optical element can be used as an optical isolator. When, however, the second component is exposed to the linearly polarized wave, the optical element can be used as an optical polarizer. An inventive optical element which is used as an optical isolator can be deployed in laser systems to reduce or suppress the feedback of the laser. In addition, windows can be thus produced which in a specific frequency window are transparent in only one direction. Unidirectional thermal insulation is thereby produced for the infared wavelength region. | 04-01-2010 |
