Strain-stabilized birefringent crystal

摘要: The invention provides an optical system for use in a stable, temperature-insensitive birefringent crystal interferometer (BCI). includes first block of light transmissive material having input port and output port, the spectral region desired device operation net retardance at temperature, straining means inducing strain one second optically coupled to block, induced maintaining substantially unchanged from least other temperature. Advantageously, uses single variety crystal, which is cheaper, more robust, has better performance than BCIs two varieties.