Piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch

• US 20030194170A1
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Fong, Arthur, Wong, Marvin Glenn
• Application Number:
  US10/119,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20030194170A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/16
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12109 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12004 Combinations of two or more optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12007 forming wavelength selective elements, e.g. multiplexer, demultiplexer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/125 Bends, branchings or intersections
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/29362 Serial cascade of filters or filtering operations, e.g. for a large number of channels
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/30 for use between fibre and thin-film device
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3522 the optical element enabling or impairing total internal reflection using evanescent coupling G02B6/3536
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3596 With planar waveguide arrangement, i.e. in a substrate, regardless if actuating mechanism is outside the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/42 Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4204 the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms encapsulated active devices H01S5/02208, H01L33/52
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4246 Bidirectionally operating package structures

Abstract

The present invention uses a plurality of piezoelectric optical relays to demultiplex an optical signal. Each of the plurality of piezoelectric optical relays uses the deflection of a piezoelectric element to move an optical element into contact with the face of an optical path to redirect an optical signal. In its undeflected state, the optical signal is reflected from the angled face of the optical path by internal reflection. When the piezoelectric actuator moves the optical element into contact with the angled face of the optical path, the index of refraction of the optical path is matched and the optical signal enters the optical element and passes through.

Claims

1. A piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch comprising:

a first optical relay and a plurality of secondary piezoelectric optical relays, each of said relays comprising a piezoelectric element;

a diaphragm having a first and a second side, said first side abutting said piezoelectric element;

an optical path comprising an entry point, a first egression point, a second egression point and a divergence point, said divergence point comprising a notch in said path;

an optical element affixed to said second side, said optical element being moveable into said notch;

a signal in port; and

a first and second signal out port;

wherein the signal in port of said first optical relays connects to an optical signal source exterior to said demultiplexer and the signal in port of said plurality of optical relays connects to a signal out port of one of said plurality of relays.

2. The piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch of claim 1, wherein said signal in ports and said signal out ports comprise optical wave guides.

3. The piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch of claim 2 wherein each of said first relay and said plurality of secondary relays further comprise a chamber wherein said piezoelectric element, said diaphragm, said optical element and said divergence point are within said chamber.

4. The piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch of claim 3 wherein said piezoelectric elements are a bending mode piezoelectric element.

5. The piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch of claim 4 wherein said piezoelectric elements are laminated to said diaphragms.

6. The piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch of claim 5 wherein said optical elements are triangular.

7. The piezoelectrical optical demultiplexing switch of claim 6 wherein said optical elements are coated with a substance so that the index of refraction substantially matches the optical path.

8. A piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch comprising:

at least a first, second and third optical, each of said relays comprising a piezoelectric element;

a diaphragm having a first and a second side, said first side abutting said piezoelectric element;

an optical path comprising an entry point, a first egression point, a second egression point and a divergence point, said divergence point comprising a notch in said path;

an optical element affixed to said second side, said optical element being moveable into said notch;

a signal in port; and

a first and second signal out port;

wherein the signal in port of said first optical relays connects to an optical signal source exterior to said demultiplexer, the signal in port of said second relay connects to a signal out port of said first relay and the signal in port of said third relay connects to a signal out port of said second relay.

9. The piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch of claim 8, wherein said signal in ports and said signal out ports comprise optical wave guides.

10. The piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch of claim 9 wherein each of said relays further comprise a chamber wherein said piezoelectric element, said diaphragm, said optical element and said divergence point are with said chamber.

11. The piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch of claim 10 wherein said piezoelectric elements are a bending mode piezoelectric element.

12. The piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch of claim 11 wherein said piezoelectric elements are laminated to said diaphragms.

13. The piezoelectric optical demultiplexing switch of claim 12 wherein said optical elements are triangular.

14. The piezoelectrical optical demultiplexing switch of claim 13 wherein said optical elements are coated with a substance so that the index of refraction substantially matches the optical path.