Optical processing
First Claim
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1. An optical processor for selectively routing optical signals on respective wavelength channels to one or more output ports, the optical processor comprising:
- a spatial light modulator (“
SLM”
) having a two-dimensional array of controllable elements, wherein the SLM is configured for selection of the controllable elements whereby a plurality of different two-dimensional groups of controllable elements are formed at chosen locations of the SLM to independently and controllably deflect light incident on the different two-dimensional groups;
a dispersion device positioned to receive and disperse light comprising the optical signals;
an optical device disposed between the SLM and the dispersion device to receive the dispersed light from the dispersion device and spatially distribute this dispersed light by wavelength across the SLM and among the plurality of different two-dimensional groups; and
a controller coupled to the SLM for assigning which controllable elements correspond to which of the plurality of different two-dimensional groups and configurable to select the plurality of different two-dimensional groups so that each wavelength channel corresponds to one of the plurality of different two-dimensional groups and further configurable to select a first subset of one or more of the optical signals for routing to a first of the one or more output ports,wherein the controller is configurable to adjust a transmission spectrum between optical signals on adjacent wavelength channels.
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Abstract
A modular routing node includes a single input port and a plurality of output ports. The modular routing node is arranged to produce a plurality of different deflections and uses small adjustments to compensate for wavelength differences and alignment tolerances in an optical system. An optical device is arranged to receive a multiplex of many optical signals at different wavelengths, to separate the optical signals into at least two groups, and to process at least one of the groups adaptively.
214 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An optical processor for selectively routing optical signals on respective wavelength channels to one or more output ports, the optical processor comprising:
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a spatial light modulator (“
SLM”
) having a two-dimensional array of controllable elements, wherein the SLM is configured for selection of the controllable elements whereby a plurality of different two-dimensional groups of controllable elements are formed at chosen locations of the SLM to independently and controllably deflect light incident on the different two-dimensional groups;a dispersion device positioned to receive and disperse light comprising the optical signals; an optical device disposed between the SLM and the dispersion device to receive the dispersed light from the dispersion device and spatially distribute this dispersed light by wavelength across the SLM and among the plurality of different two-dimensional groups; and a controller coupled to the SLM for assigning which controllable elements correspond to which of the plurality of different two-dimensional groups and configurable to select the plurality of different two-dimensional groups so that each wavelength channel corresponds to one of the plurality of different two-dimensional groups and further configurable to select a first subset of one or more of the optical signals for routing to a first of the one or more output ports, wherein the controller is configurable to adjust a transmission spectrum between optical signals on adjacent wavelength channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification