Optical switching and attenuation systems and methods therefor

• US 6,591,032 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2002
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC (RPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Coretek, Inc. (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Azimi, Masud, Vakhshoori, Daryoosh, Tayebati, Parviz
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, James
• Application Number:
  US10/167,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20020154854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 359/198, 359/199, 359/212, 359/223, 359/227, 359/230, 359/232-236, 385/15-19
• US Class Current: 385/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3502 involving direct waveguide displacement, e.g. cantilever type waveguide displacement involving waveguide bending, or displacing an interposed waveguide between stationary waveguides
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3512 the optical element being reflective, e.g. mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3514 the reflective optical element moving along a line so as to translate into and out of the beam path, i.e. across the beam path
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/353 the optical element being a shutter, baffle, beam dump or opaque element absorbers on light guide termination G02B6/243
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3544 2D constellations, i.e. with switching elements and switched beams located in a plane
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3546 NxM switch, i.e. a regular array of switches elements of matrix type constellation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3548 1xN switch, i.e. one input and a selectable single output of N possible outputs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3566 involving bending a beam, e.g. with cantilever
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3568 characterised by the actuating force
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/357 Electrostatic force electrostatic forces controlling reflecting elements in general G02B26/0841
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3572 Magnetic force magnetic forces controlling reflecting elements in general G02B26/085; magneto-optic devices G02F1/09
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3576 Temperature or heat actuation thermal forces controlling reflecting elements in general G02B26/0866; thermo-optic devices G02F1/0147
• 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 6/3594 Characterised by additional functional means, e.g. means for variably attenuating or branching or means for switching differently polarized beams

Abstract

Novel light switches and attenuators are disclosed. In one form of the invention, a novel 2×2 crossbar switch is formed by positioning a movable reflector intermediate four fiberoptic lines. In another form of the invention, a 1×N switch is formed by providing a plurality of cantilevers each having a reflective surface thereon. In still another form of the invention, a novel light attenuator is formed by positioning a movable arm intermediate two fiberoptic elements.

Claims

1. A switch for directing the path of a light signal, said switch comprising:

a member comprising a hole and a reflector;

first, second, third and fourth light transmitting elements, said first and third light transmitting elements being disposed on one side of said member, and said second and fourth light transmitting elements being disposed on the other side of said member; and

an actuator for moving said member so as to selectively;

(1) position said hole intermediate said first and second light transmitting elements, and intermediate said third and fourth light transmitting elements, so as to optically couple said first and second light transmitting elements, and so as to optically couple said third and fourth light transmitting elements; and

(2) position said reflector intermediate said first and second light transmitting elements, and intermediate said third and fourth light transmitting elements, so as to optically couple said first and third light transmitting elements, and so as to optically couple said second and fourth light transmitting elements.

2. A switch according to claim 1 wherein said first, second, third and fourth light transmitting elements comprise fiberoptic elements.

3. A switch according to claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a microelectromechanical (MEM) device.

4. A switch according to claim 3 wherein said actuator comprises a MEM comb drive.

5. A switch according to claim 1 wherein a Grin lens is disposed between said first and third light transmitting elements and said member.

6. A switch according to claim 1 wherein a Grin lens is disposed between said second and fourth light transmitting elements and said member.

7. A switch according to claim 1 wherein said first, second, third and fourth light transmitting elements comprise thermally expanded core (TEC) fiberoptic elements.