Pixellated WDM optical components
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for inserting a controlled amount of attenuation in the power level of individual channels of a wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signal comprising:
- a panel comprising a plurality of micromirrors that can be selectively tilted either to or not to reflect the incident light in a direction for recombination into the output beam, the plurality of micromirror being arranged in a two-dimensional array essentially a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns with at least one column exclusively for each channel of the signal and each column including a plurality of micromirrors, corresponding in numbers to the output levels to be provided;
means positioned to intercept an input wavelength-division-multiplexed input beam for separating the beam into individual channel beams, for directing the separate beams for incidence on separate columns of the micromirrors of the panel, and for recombining into the output beam the separate beams reflected in the desired direction; and
means for controlling the number of micromirrors in each column tilted away from the direction for recombination into the output beam to control the attenuation inserted.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A micromirror array is used to form optical apparatus useful in WDM optical networks. In one embodiment, the micromirror array is used to insert a desired attenuation in individual channels for purposes such as equalization. In another embodiment, the micromirror array is used to form an optical monitor useful as an optical spectrum analyzer.
-
Citations
9 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for inserting a controlled amount of attenuation in the power level of individual channels of a wavelength-division-multiplexed optical signal comprising:
-
a panel comprising a plurality of micromirrors that can be selectively tilted either to or not to reflect the incident light in a direction for recombination into the output beam, the plurality of micromirror being arranged in a two-dimensional array essentially a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns with at least one column exclusively for each channel of the signal and each column including a plurality of micromirrors, corresponding in numbers to the output levels to be provided;
means positioned to intercept an input wavelength-division-multiplexed input beam for separating the beam into individual channel beams, for directing the separate beams for incidence on separate columns of the micromirrors of the panel, and for recombining into the output beam the separate beams reflected in the desired direction; and
means for controlling the number of micromirrors in each column tilted away from the direction for recombination into the output beam to control the attenuation inserted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
Specification