Integrated optical polarization splitters

Integrated optic approach to polarization splitting offers the possibility of integration with other optical elements as well as the advantages of small size and compactness. The most important application for integrated optic polarization splitters at the moment is in polarization diversity receivers for coherent communication. Applications in other fields include several optical fiber sensor configurations. Polarization splitters can also be used for optical power doubling. Some special cases of the potential use of integrated optic polarization splitters in optical communications are given