Focal polarization beam displacer

1 . A polarization displacer, comprising:

a focusing lens configured to receive optical signals; and

a birefringent crystal, which is aligned with the focusing lens, configured to receive the optical signals from the focusing lens and separate the optical signals into at least two separate signals based on having different polarization states, wherein the birefringent crystal is disposed within a focal region of the focusing lens, such that the focal region extends at least partially within the birefringent crystal, wherein an optical axis of the birefringent crystal is set so that respective focal points of the at least two separate signals are aligned at an output surface of the birefringent crystal that is configured for direct coupling to an external optical layer, and wherein the at least two separate signals are output from the polarization displacer at the output surface of the birefringent crystal.

2 . The polarization displacer of claim 1 , wherein the focusing lens is formed from a lens layer disposed on the birefringent crystal, wherein the lens layer is between the focusing lens and the birefringent crystal.

3 . The polarization displacer of claim 2 , further comprising a thermal expansion layer disposed between the lens layer and the birefringent crystal.

4 . The polarization displacer of claim 2 , further comprising an optically transparent dielectric layer disposed between the lens layer and the birefringent crystal.

5 . The polarization displacer of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of focusing lenses disposed on the birefringent crystal for forming an array for interfacing with a plurality of light sources.

6 . The polarization displacer of claim 1 , further comprising an optically transparent layer disposed between the focusing lens and the birefringent crystal.

7 . The polarization displacer of claim 6 , wherein the optically transparent layer comprises at least one of a thermal expansion layer or an optically transparent dielectric layer.

8 . A polarization displacer, comprising:

a focusing lens configured to receive optical signals; and

a birefringent crystal, on which the focusing lens is disposed, configured to separate the optical signals into at least two separate signals based on having different polarization states, wherein the birefringent crystal is disposed within a focal region of the focusing lens, such that the focal region extends at least partially within the birefringent crystal, wherein an optical axis of the birefringent crystal is set so that respective focal points of the at least two separate signals are aligned at an output surface of the birefringent crystal that is configured for direct coupling to an external optical layer, and wherein the at least two separate signals are output from the polarization displacer at the output surface of the birefringent crystal.

9 . The polarization displacer of claim 8 , wherein the focusing lens is formed from a polymer droplet disposed on the birefringent crystal.

10 . The polarization displacer of claim 8 , wherein the focusing lens contacts the birefringent crystal.

11 . The polarization displacer of claim 8 , wherein the focusing lens is formed from a material of the birefringent crystal.

12 . A displacer array, comprising:

a plurality of focusing lenses, wherein at least a first focusing lens of the plurality of focusing lenses is configured to receive optical signals; and

a single birefringent crystal, which is aligned with the plurality of focusing lenses, configured to receive the optical signals from the first focusing lens and to separate the optical signals into at least two separate signals based on having different polarization states, wherein the single birefringent crystal is disposed within focal regions of the plurality of focusing lenses, such that the focal regions extend at least partially within the birefringent crystal, wherein an optical axis of the single birefringent crystal is set so that focal points of the at least two separate signals corresponding to the optical signals are aligned at a same output surface of the single birefringent crystal that is configured for direct coupling to an external optical layer, and wherein the at least two separate signals are output from the displacer array at the same output surface of the single birefringent crystal.

13 . The displacer array of claim 12 , wherein the single birefringent crystal is configured to (i) receive, at two different locations, two separate optical signals having different polarization states, (ii) merge the two separate optical signals, and (iii) align the merged optical signals with a second focusing lens of the plurality of focusing lenses, wherein the second focusing lens is configured to transmit the merged optical signals to an external optical element.

14 . The displacer array of claim 12 , further comprising at least one of a thermal expansion layer or an optically transparent dielectric layer disposed between the plurality of focusing lenses and the single birefringent crystal.

15 . The displacer array of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of focusing lenses are formed from a lens layer disposed on the single birefringent crystal, wherein the lens layer is between the plurality of focusing lenses and the single birefringent crystal.

16 . The displacer array of claim 15 , further comprising a thermal expansion layer disposed between the lens layer and the single birefringent crystal.

17 . The displacer array of claim 15 , further comprising an optically transparent dielectric layer disposed between the lens layer and the single birefringent crystal.

18 . The displacer array of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of focusing lenses are disposed on the single birefringent crystal.

19 . The displacer array of claim 18 , wherein the first focusing lens is formed from a material of the single birefringent crystal.

20 . The displacer array of claim 18 , wherein the first focusing lens is formed from a polymer droplet disposed on the single birefringent crystal.