A nonreciprocal optical element

Abstract

This paper shows that the nonreciprocal optical elements needed for quantum electronics, for optical information-processing systems, and for optical communication devices can be created on the basis of anisotropic optical crystals. The cause of the nonreciprocity of such devices is a special, nonidentical placement of the plane of the principal cross section of the crystal for rays travelling in the forward and reverse directions. The characteristics of nonreciprocal elements fabricated from calcite, paratellurite, lithium iodate, and quartz crystals are given.