Importance

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Abstract

Accordingly, a beam-splitting ball lens is provided. The beam-splitting ball lens has: a ball lens; and a beam-splitter filter disposed within the ball lens. The ball lens preferably has first and second portions wherein the beam-splitter filter is disposed at a junction between the first and second portions. The beam-splitting ball lens can further have a mid-plane optical element disposed at the junction such as, a wavelength selective filter, a polarization component, an amplitude modulation mask, a phase modulation mask, a hologram and/or a grating. Also provided is a method for fabricating the beam-splitting ball lens of the present invention. The method includes the steps of: providing the ball lens; and disposing the beam-splitter filter within the ball lens. Preferably the disposing step includes: dividing the ball lens into first and second portions; and disposing the beam-splitter filter at the junction between the first and second portions. Also provided is a mount for the beam-splitting ball lens of the present invention. The mount has a body, the body having screws to retain the beam-splitting ball lens therein. The body further having access holes for two inputs and two outputs corresponding to the two inputs. The access holes being aligned with the beam-splitter filter such that light inputted to the inputs are directed to corresponding outputs.

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First Claim