Abstract:
An optical crossbar switch having refractive or reflective components for equalizing beam spreading and diffraction in all the connections. The optical fibers or waveguides coupled to the switch are not staggered, but are parallel as in a conventional fiber array. The refractive component is disposed between the switch and the input optical fibers. Preferably, a similar refractive component is disposed between the output optical fibers and the switch. The refractive component can be a stairstep block made of glass, silicon or silica. Light from each input fiber travels through a well-defined thickness of the stairstep block. Since the block has a refractive index greater than the surrounding atmosphere, the wavelength is reduced within the block, and beam spreading and diffraction are reduced. For switch connections that have a long optical path, a long optical path through the block is required. The dimensions of the block must be designed according to the path length differences of the different switch connections. Optionally, a prism is used instead of the stairstep block. In this case, the optical fibers must be aligned at an angle to the switch. Furthermore, a series of small optical deflectors can be used instead of the stairstep structure.
Abstract:
An optical switch module having a movable mirror disposed between two fixed mirrors. All three mirrors are aligned parallel to each other in a linear array to form a crossbar switch. The movable mirror moves between a first position and a second position to selectively couple optical signals between two inputs and two outputs. The basic switch module may be scaled up to form an apparatus that incorporates N movable mirrors and N+1 fixed mirrors, where N is an integer greater than zero. Such an apparatus can accommodate 2N fiber inputs and 2N fiber outputs, e.g., in an optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM). The parallel configuration of the switch module takes advantage of existing lens array and fiber V-groove technology to facilitate integration of the fibers and collimators in the module, thereby reducing the difficulty and cost associated with alignment, assembly, and packaging.
Abstract:
An optical crossbar switch having refractive or reflective components for equalizing beam spreading and diffraction in all the connections. The optical fibers or waveguides coupled to the switch are not staggered, but are parallel as in a conventional fiber array. The refractive component is disposed between the switch and the input optical fibers. Preferably, a similar refractive component is disposed between the output optical fibers and the switch. The refractive component can be a stairstep block made of glass, silicon or silica. Light from each input fiber travels through a well-defined thickness of the stairstep block. Since the block has a refractive index greater than the surrounding atmosphere, the wavelength in reduced within the block, and beam spreading and diffraction are reduced.
Abstract:
A two-dimensional scanner consists of a rotatable gimbal structure with vertical electrostatic comb-drive actuators and sensors. The scanner's two axes of rotation may be controlled independently by activating two sets of vertical comb-drive actuators. The first set of vertical comb-drive actuator is positioned in between a outer frame of the gimbal structure and the base, and the second set of vertical comb-drive actuator is positioned in between the iner part of the gimbal structure and the outer frame of the gimbal structure. The inner part of the gimbal structure may include a reflective surface, and the device may be used as a mirror. Furthermore, the capacitance of the vertical comb-drives may be measured to monitor the angular position of the mirror, and the capacitive position-monitoring signal may be used to implement closed-loop feedback control of the mirror angle. The two-dimensional scanner may be fabricated in a semiconductor process. Two-dimensional scanners may be used to produce fiber-optic switches.
Abstract:
An optical switch module having a movable mirror (312) disposed between two fixed mirrors (310, 314). All three mirrors are aligned parallel to each other in a linear array to form a crossbar switch. The movable mirror (312) moves between a first position and a second position to selectively couple optical signals between two inputs and two outputs. The basic switch module may be scaled up to form an apparatus that incorporates N movable mirrors and N+1 fixed mirrors, where N is an integer greater than zero. Such an apparatus can accommodate 2N fiber inputs and 2N fiber outputs, e.g., in an optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM). The parallel configuration of the switch module takes advantage of existing lens array and fiber V-groove technology to facilitate integration of the fibers and collimators in the module, thereby reducing the difficulty and cost associated with alignment, assembly, and packaging.