Fiber-optic free-space micromachined matrix switches

• US 6,445,846 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2001
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lin, Lih-Yuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Palmer, Phan T. H.
• Application Number:
  US09/772,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20010006569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 385/15-23, 385/147, 359/629, 359/223, 359/224, 359/198, 362/552, 356/462
• US Class Current: 385/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12104 Mirror; Reflectors or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/122 Basic optical elements, e.g. light-guiding paths
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3512 the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3546 NxM switch, i.e. a regular array of switches elements of matrix type constellation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/356 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 6/3564 Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/357 Electrostatic force electrostatic forces controlling reflecting elements in general G02B26/0841
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3574 Mechanical force, e.g. pressure variations
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3594 Characterised by additional functional means, e.g. means for variably attenuating or branching or means for switching differently polarized beams
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0005 Switch and router aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/003 using switches based on microelectro-mechanical systems [MEMS]

Abstract

An optical switch device redirects a beam of light traveling along a first direction to a second direction and includes a base member, a reflective panel and an actuator. The reflective panel is pivotally connected to the base member and moves between a reflective state and a non-reflective state. In the reflective state, the reflective panel is disposed to redirect the beam of light from the first direction to the second direction. In the non-reflective state, the reflective panel is disposed to permit the light beam to travel along the first direction. The actuator is connected to the base member and the reflective panel and is operative to cause the reflective panel to move to and between the reflective state and the non-reflective state. An array of optical switch devices can be arranged to form a free-space optical matrix crossconnect apparatus.

Claims

1. An optical switch device for redirecting at least a portion of a beam of light traveling in free space along a first direction to a second direction different from the first direction, comprising:

a base member; and

a reflective panel pivotally connected to the base member and movable between a reflective state wherein the reflective panel is disposed to redirect the beam of light from the first direction to the second direction and a non-reflective state wherein the reflective panel is disposed to permit the beam of light to travel along the first direction, wherein the reflective panel includes at least one hinge pin member and at least one hinge pin connecting member disposed apart from one another and connected to an edge portion of the reflective panel, the at least one hinge pin connecting member projecting outwardly from the edge portion of the reflective panel for mounting the at least one hinge pin member between the at least one hinge pin connecting member.

2. An optical switch device according to claim 1, wherein the reflective panel includes a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, the first surface being reflective.

3. An optical switch device according to claim 2, wherein the second surface is reflective.

4. An optical switch device according to claim 1, further comprising a staple element having a channel sized to receive the at least one hinge pin member, the staple element connected to the base member with the at least one hinge pin member disposed within the channel to provide pivotal movement of the reflective panel about a pivot axis extending through the at least one hinge pin member.

5. An optical switch device according to claim 4, wherein the staple element and the at least one hinge pin member are disposed in close proximity to each another in a manner to permit the reflective panel to freely pivot about the pivot axis without interference from the staple element.

6. An optical switch device according to claim 1, wherein the reflective panel is fabricated from a material being partially reflective and partially transparent whereby, when the reflective panel is disposed in the reflective state, a portion of the beam of light is redirected to the second direction while a remaining portion of the beam of light continues in the first direction.

7. An optical switch device for reflecting at least one beam of light, comprising:

a base member;

reflective means connected to the base member and unbiasedly movable between a reflective state for reflecting the at least one beam of light and a non-reflective state.

8. An optical switch device according to claim 7, wherein the reflective means includes a reflective panel having a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, the first surface being reflective.

9. An optical switch device according to claim 8, wherein the second surface is reflective so that a second beam of light can be reflected while the first surface reflects the at least one beam of light.

10. An optical switch device according to claim 7, wherein the reflective means includes a reflective panel fabricated from a material being partially reflective and partially transparent whereby, when the reflective panel is disposed in the reflective state, a portion of the at least one beam of light is redirected to the second direction while a remaining portion of the at least one beam of light continues in the first direction.