Multi-wavelength cross-connect optical switch

• US 6,327,398 B1
• Filed: 12/21/2000
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Solgaard, Olav, Bhattarai, Amal R., Heritage, Jonathan P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John D.
• Application Number:
  US09/748,025
• Time in Patent Office: 348 Days
• Field of Search: 385/16-24
• US Class Current: 385/18
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/28 Investigating the spectrum using colour filters G01J3/51
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/32 having lens focusing means positioned between opposed fibre ends with lens being an integral part of the single fibre end G02B6/262
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/35 having switching means by changing the optical properties of the medium G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3512 the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3516 the reflective optical element moving along the beam path, e.g. controllable diffractive effects using multiple micromirrors within the beam
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3518 the reflective optical element being an intrinsic part of a MEMS device, i.e. fabricated together with the MEMS device MEMS devices in general B81B; manufacture of MEM devices in general B81C; micromechanical devices controlling the direction of light G02B26/0833
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3534 the optical element being diffractive, i.e. a grating
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3542 Non-blocking switch, e.g. with multiple potential paths between multiple inputs and outputs, the establishment of one switching path not preventing the establishment of further switching paths
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3546 NxM switch, i.e. a regular array of switches elements of matrix type constellation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3556 NxM switch, i.e. regular arrays of switches elements of matrix type constellation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/356 in an optical cross-connect device, e.g. routing and switching aspects of interconnecting different paths propagating different wavelengths to (re)configure the various input and output links switching polarized beams G02B6/3594; power equalizers G02B6/356 and G02B6/3594; path selecting means H04Q11/0001
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3566 involving bending a beam, e.g. with cantilever
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/357 Electrostatic force electrostatic forces controlling reflecting elements in general G02B26/0841
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3582 Housing means or package or arranging details of the switching elements, e.g. for thermal isolation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3584 constructional details of an associated actuator having a MEMS construction, i.e. constructed using semiconductor technology such as etching MEMS per se B81B, B81C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3592 Means for removing polarization dependence of the switching means, i.e. polarization insensitive switching light guides coupling with polarization selective and adjusting means G02B6/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0005 Switch and router aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/0024 using space switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/0026 using free space propagation (e.g. lenses, mirrors)
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/0083 Testing; Monitoring

Abstract

A cross-connect switch for fiber-optic communication networks employing a wavelength dispersive element, such as a grating, and a stack of regular (non-wavelength selective) cross bar switches using two-dimensional arrays of micromachined, electrically actuated, individually-tiltable, controlled deflection micro-mirrors for providing multiport switching capability for a plurality of wavelengths. Using a one-dimensional micromirror array, a fiber-optic based MEMS switched spectrometer that does not require mechanical motion of bulk components or large diode arrays can be constructed with readout capability for WDM network diagnosis or for general purpose spectroscopic applications.

Claims

1. An optical switch, said switch comprising an array of actuated mirrors, said switch configured for separating at least one wavelength component in an optical beam from at least one other wavelength component of said optical beam and independently switching said at least one wavelength component from at least one input port to at least one output port.

2. An optical switch as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for positioning said at least one wavelength component of said at least one optical beam onto said array of actuated mirrors.

3. An optical switch as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for positioning comprises a wavelength dispersive element.

4. An optical switch as recited in claim 3, wherein said wavelength dispersive element comprises a diffraction grating.

5. An optical switch as recited in claim 3, wherein said wavelength dispersive element comprises a prism.

6. An optical switch as recited in claim 3, wherein said means for positioning further comprises at least one lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element.

7. An optical switch as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one imaging component configured for positioning said at least one wavelength component of said at least one optical beam onto said array of actuated mirrors.

8. An optical switch as recited in claim 7, wherein said imaging component comprises a wavelength dispersive element.

9. An optical switch as recited in claim 8, wherein said wavelength dispersive element comprises a diffraction grating.

10. An optical switch as recited in claim 8, wherein said wavelength dispersive element comprises a prism.

11. An optical switch as recited in claim 8, wherein said imaging component further comprises at least one lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element.

12. An optical switch, comprising:

(a) an array of actuated mirrors configured for independently switching at least one wavelength component of at least one optical beam from at least one input port to at least one output port; and

(b) means for separating said at least one wavelength component from at least one other wavelength component of said at least one optical beam and positioning said at least one wavelength component onto said array of actuated mirrors.

13. An optical switch as recited in claim 12, wherein said means comprises a wavelength dispersive element.

14. An optical switch as recited in claim 13, wherein said wavelength dispersive element comprises a diffraction grating.

15. An optical switch as recited in claim 13, wherein said wavelength dispersive element comprises a prism.

16. An optical switch as recited in claim 13, wherein said means further comprises at least one lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element.

17. An optical switch, comprising:

(a) an array of actuated mirrors configured for independently switching at least one wavelength component of at least one optical beam from at least one input port to at least one output port; and

(b) at least one imaging component configured for separating said at least one wavelength component from at least one other wavelength component of said at least one optical beam and positioning said at least one wavelength component onto said array of actuated mirrors.

18. An optical switch as recited in claim 17, wherein said imaging component comprises a wavelength dispersive element.

19. An optical switch as recited in claim 18, wherein said wavelength dispersive element comprises a diffraction grating.

20. An optical switch as recited in claim 18, wherein said wavelength dispersive element comprises a prism.

21. An optical switch as recited in claim 18, wherein said imaging component further comprises at least one lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element.

22. An optical switch, comprising:

(a) an array of actuated mirrors configured for independently switching at least one wavelength component of at least one optical beam from at least one input port to at least one output port; and

(b) at least one wavelength dispersive element configured for positioning said at least one wavelength component of said at least one optical beam onto said array of actuated mirrors.

23. An optical switch as recited in claim 22, wherein said wavelength dispersive element comprises a diffraction grating.

24. An optical switch as recited in claim 22, wherein said wavelength dispersive element comprises a prism.

25. An optical switch as recited in claim 22, further comprising at least one lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element.

26. An optical switch, comprising:

(a) at least one input port;

(b) at least one output port; and

(c) at least one array of actuated mirrors positioned between said input and output ports, said switch configured for separating at least one wavelength component of at least one optical beam from at least one other wavelength component of said at least one optical beam and independently switching said at least one wavelength component from at least one input port to at least one output port.

27. An optical switch as recited in claim 26, further comprising a first array of actuated mirrors and a second array of actuated mirrors, said first and second arrays of actuated mirrors positioned between said input and output ports.

28. An optical switch as recited in claim 27, further comprising:

(d) at least one imaging component configured for positioning said at least one wavelength component of said at least one optical beam onto a first array of actuated mirrors; and

(e) at least one imaging component configured for positioning said at least one wavelength component of said at least one optical beam, reflected from said first array of actuated mirrors and onto said second array of said actuated mirrors, onto said at least one output port.

29. An optical switch as recited in claim 28, wherein at least one said imaging component comprises a wavelength dispersive element.

30. An optical switch as recited in claim 29, wherein said wavelength dispersive element comprises a diffraction grating.

31. An optical switch as recited in claim 29, wherein said wavelength dispersive element comprises a prism.

32. An optical switch as recited in claim 29, further comprising at least one lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element.