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Optimized reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer architecture with MEMS-based attenuation or power management

  • US 20060228072A1
  • Filed: 04/11/2005
  • Published: 10/12/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. Optical apparatus for switching multi-channel optical signals having spectral channels of different wavelengths, comprising:

  • fiber coupled collimators providing a plurality of input and output ports for optical signals having one or more of said spectral channels;

    an anamorphic system receiving an optical signal from an input port of the fiber collimators and being formed to convert the optical signal to a beam having a predetermined beam profile;

    a diffraction grating for spatially separating the beam into constituent spectral channel beams;

    focusing optics for converting the constituent spectral channels into channel beams having an elongated channel beam profile; and

    an array of biaxial channel micromirrors, the micromirrors having an elongated shape compatible with said elongated channel beam profile, and each micromirror of the array being positioned to receive one of said constituent spectral channels, the micromirrors being rotatable about a first switching axis to switch said one spectral channel to a selected output port, and being rotatable about a second attenuation axis to vary the coupling of the switched spectral channel to the selected output port to control the power level of the spectral channel output at such selected port.

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