Multi-wavelength cross-connect optical switch

• US 6,922,239 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• 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): EVANS, FANNIE L
• Application Number:
  US10/293,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 356/310, 356/326, 356/328, 356/330
• US Class Current: 356/326
• 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. A fiber optic spectrometer, comprising:

an optical input port;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element; and

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said wavelength dispersive element is configured to position an optic beam from said input port onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching said optic beam back through said wavelength dispersive element to said detector;

wherein said input port comprises an optic fiber.

2. A spectrometer as recited in claim 1, wherein said optic fiber carries a plurality of wavelength components of an optic input signal.

3. A spectrometer as recited in claim 2, wherein said optic beam comprises a wavelength component of said optic input signal.

4. A spectrometer as recited in claim 1, further comprising a lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element.

5. A spectrometer as recited in claim 4, wherein said wavelength dispersive element and said lens are configured to position said optic beam from said input port onto said array of actuated mirrors.

6. A spectrometer as recited in claim 5, further comprising a polarizing element positioned between said wavelength dispersive element and said array of actuated mirrors, said polarizing element configured to compensate for polarization sensitivity of said wavelength dispersive element.

43. A spectrometer as recited in claim 1 or 7, wherein said array of actuated mirrors comprises a one-dimensional mirror array.

44. A spectrometer as recited in claim 1 or 7, further comprising an output port configured for receiving optic beams reflected from said array of actuated mirrors back through said wavelength dispersive element to said output port.

45. A spectrometer as recited in claim 44, wherein each mirror in said array of actuated mirrors is configured to either reflect a wavelength to said detector, or reflect said wavelength to said output port.

46. A spectrometer as recited in claim 44, wherein said input port and said output port comprise optical fiber connections arranged side by side.

47. A spectrometer as recited in claim 44, wherein said input port and said output port comprise the same optical fiber.

7. A fiber optic spectrometer, comprising:

an optical input port;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element; and

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said wavelength dispersive element is configured to position an optic beam from said input port onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching said optic beam back through said wavelength dispersive element to said detector;

wherein said detector comprises a single detector element.

8. A fiber optic spectrometer, comprising:

an input optic fiber;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element; and

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said wavelength dispersive element is configured to position an optic beam from said input optic fiber onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching said optic beam back through said wavelength dispersive element to said detector.

9. A spectrometer as recited in claim 8, wherein said optic beam comprises a wavelength component of an optic input signal.

10. A spectrometer as recited in claim 8, wherein said input optic fiber carries a plurality of wavelength components of an optic input signal.

11. A spectrometer as recited in claim 10, wherein said optic beam comprises a wavelength component of said optic input signal.

12. A spectrometer as recited in claim 8, further comprising a lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element.

13. A spectrometer as recited in claim 12, wherein said wavelength dispersive element and said lens are configured to position said optic beam from said input optic fiber onto said array of actuated mirrors.

14. A spectrometer as recited in claim 13, further comprising a polarizing element positioned between said wavelength dispersive element and said array of actuated mirrors, said polarizing element configured to compensate for polarization sensitivity of said wavelength dispersive element.

15. A spectrometer as recited in claim 8, wherein said detector comprises a single detector element.

48. A spectrometer as recited in claim 8, wherein said array of actuated mirrors comprises a one-dimensional mirror array.

49. A spectrometer as recited in claim 8, further comprising an output optic fiber configured for receiving optic beams reflected from said array of actuated mirrors back through said wavelength dispersive element to said output optic fiber.

50. A spectrometer as recited in claim 49, wherein each mirror in said array of actuated mirrors is configured to either reflect a wavelength to said detector, or reflect said wavelength to said output optic fiber.

51. A spectrometer as recited in claim 49, wherein said output optic fiber is arranged side by side with said input optic fiber.

52. A spectrometer as recited in claim 49, wherein said output optic fiber is bidirectional and functions as both an input port and an output port.

16. A fiber optic spectrometer, comprising:

a fiber optic input path;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element; and

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said wavelength dispersive element configured to position an optic beam from said fiber optic input path onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching said optic beam back through said wavelength dispersive element to said detector.

17. A spectrometer as recited in claim 16, wherein said optic beam comprises a wavelength component of an optic input signal on said fiber optic input path.

18. A spectrometer as recited in claim 16, wherein said fiber optic input path comprises an optic fiber.

19. A spectrometer as recited in claim 18, wherein said optic fiber carries a plurality of wavelength components of an optic input signal.

20. A spectrometer as recited in claim 19, wherein said optic beam comprises a wavelength component of said optic input signal.

21. A spectrometer as recited in claim 16, further comprising a lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element.

22. A spectrometer as recited in claim 21, wherein said wavelength dispersive element and said lens are configured to position said optic beam from said fiber optic input path onto said array of actuated mirrors.

23. A spectrometer as recited in claim 22, further comprising a polarizing element positioned between said wavelength dispersive element and said array of actuated mirrors, said polarizing element configured to compensate for polarization sensitivity of said wavelength dispersive element.

24. A spectrometer as recited in claim 16, wherein said detector comprises a single detector element.

53. A spectrometer as recited in claim 16, wherein said array of actuated mirrors comprises a one-dimensional array.

54. A spectrometer as recited in claim 16, further comprising a fiber optic output path configured for receiving optic beams reflected from said array of actuated mirrors back through said wavelength dispersive element to said fiber optic output path.

55. A spectrometer as recited in claim 54, wherein each mirror in said array of actuated mirrors is configured to either reflect a wavelength to said detector, or reflect said wavelength to said fiber optic output path.

56. A spectrometer as recited in claim 54, wherein said fiber optic output path comprises an output optic fiber connection arranged side by side with a input fiber optic of said fiber optic input path.

57. A spectrometer as recited in claim 54, wherein said fiber optic output path and said fiber optic input path share the same optic fiber.

25. A fiber optic spectrometer, comprising:

an input port;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element;

a lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element;

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said wavelength dispersive element and said lens configured to position an optic beam from said input port onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching said optic beam back through the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said lens to said detector;

wherein said input port comprises an optic fiber.

26. A spectrometer as recited in claim 25, wherein said optic fiber carries a plurality of wavelength components of an optic input signal.

27. A spectrometer as recited in claim 26, wherein said optic beam comprises a wavelength component of said optic input signal.

28. A spectrometer as recited in claim 27, further comprising a polarizing element positioned between said wavelength dispersive element and said array of actuated mirrors, said polarizing element configured to compensate for polarization sensitivity of said wavelength dispersive element.

58. A spectrometer as recited in claim 27 or 29, wherein said array of actuated mirrors comprises a one-dimensional mirror array.

59. A spectrometer as recited in claim 27 or 29, further comprising an output port configured for receiving optic beams reflected from said array of actuated mirrors back through said wavelength dispersive element and said lens to said output port.

60. A spectrometer as recited in claim 59, wherein each mirror in said array of actuated mirrors is configured to either reflect a wavelength to said detector, or reflect said wavelength to said output port.

61. A spectrometer as recited in claim 59, wherein said output port comprises an optic fiber connection arranged side by side with said input port.

62. A spectrometer as recited in claim 59, wherein said output port comprises a bidirectional optic fiber that functions as both said optical input port and said optical output port.

29. A fiber optic spectrometer, comprising:

an input port;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element;

a lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element;

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said wavelength dispersive element and said lens configured to position an optic beam from said input port said array of actuated mirror;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching said optic beam back through the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said lens to said detector;

wherein said detector comprises a single detector element.

30. A fiber optic spectrometer, comprising:

an input optic fiber;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element;

a lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element;

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said lens are configured to position an optic beam from said input optic fiber onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching said optic beam back through said combination of wavelength dispersive element and said lens to said detector.

31. A spectrometer as recited in claim 30, wherein said optic beam comprises a wavelength component of an optic input signal as received on said input optic fiber.

32. A spectrometer as recited in claim 30, wherein said input optic fiber carries a plurality of wavelength components of an optic input signal.

33. A spectrometer as recited in claim 32, wherein said optic beam comprises a wavelength component of said optic input signal.

34. A spectrometer as recited in claim 30, further comprising a polarizing element positioned between said wavelength dispersive element and said array of actuated mirrors, said polarizing element configured to compensate for polarization sensitivity of said wavelength dispersive element.

35. A spectrometer as recited in claim 30, wherein said detector comprises a single detector element.

63. A spectrometer as recited in claim 30, wherein said array of actuated mirrors comprises a one-dimensional mirror array.

64. A spectrometer as recited in claim 30, further comprising an output fiber configured for receiving optic beams reflected from said array of actuated mirrors back through said wavelength dispersive element and said lens to said output optic fiber.

65. A spectrometer as recited in claim 64, wherein each mirror in said array of actuated mirrors is configured to either reflect a wavelength to said detector, or reflect said wavelength to said output optic fiber.

66. A spectrometer as recited in claim 64, wherein said output optic fiber comprises an optic fiber connection arranged side by side with said input optic fiber.

67. A spectrometer as recited in claim 64, wherein said output optic fiber is bidirectional and functions as both an input port and an output port.

36. A fiber optic spectrometer, comprising:

a fiber optic input path;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element;

a lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element;

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said lens are configured to position an optic beam from said fiber optic input path onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching said optic beam back through the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said lens to said detector.

37. A spectrometer as recited in claim 36, wherein said optic beam comprises a wavelength component of an optic input signal received on said fiber optic input path.

38. A spectrometer as recited in claim 36, wherein said fiber optic input path comprises an optic fiber.

39. A spectrometer as recited in claim 38, wherein said optic fiber carries a plurality of wavelength components of an optic input signal.

40. A spectrometer as recited in claim 39, wherein said optic beam comprises a wavelength component of said optic input signal.

41. A spectrometer as recited in claim 36, further comprising a polarizing element positioned between said wavelength dispersive element and said array of actuated mirrors, said polarizing element configured to compensate for polarization sensitivity of said wavelength dispersive element.

42. A spectrometer as recited in claim 36, wherein said detector comprises a single detector element.

68. A spectrometer as recited in claim 36, wherein said array of actuated mirrors comprises a one-dimensional mirror array.

69. A spectrometer as recited in claim 36, further comprising a fiber optic output path configured for receiving optic beams reflected from said array of actuated mirrors back through the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said lens to said fiber optic output path.

70. A spectrometer as recited in claim 69, wherein each mirror in said array of actuated mirrors is configured to either reflect a wavelength to said detector, or reflect said wavelength to said fiber optic output path.

71. A spectrometer as recited in claim 69, wherein said fiber optic output path comprises an output optic fiber connection arranged side by side with a input fiber optic of said fiber optic input path.

72. A spectrometer as recited in claim 69, wherein said output fiber optic output path and an input port for said fiber optic input path share the same optic fiber.

73. An optical spectrometer, comprising:

an optical input port;

an optical output port;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element; and

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said wavelength dispersive element is configured to position an optic beam from said input port onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching said optic beam back through said wavelength dispersive element to either said detector or said optical output port.

74. An optical spectrometer, comprising:

an optical input port;

an optical output port;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element;

a lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element; and

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said lens are configured to position an optic beam from said input port onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching said optic beam back through the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said lens to either said detector or said optical output port.

75. An optical spectrometer, comprising:

an optical input port;

an optical output port;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element;

a lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element;

a polarizing element; and

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said polarizing element is positioned between said wavelength dispersive element and said array of actuated mirrors, and is configured to compensate for polarization sensitivity of said wavelength dispersive element;

wherein the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said lens are configured to position an optic beam from said optical input port onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching said optic beam back through the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said lens to either said detector or said optical output port.

76. An optical spectrometer, comprising:

at least one optical port;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element;

a lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element; and

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said wavelength dispersive element is configured to separate an optic beam from at least one said optical port into wavelength channels directed onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching wavelength channels back through said wavelength dispersive element to either said detector or at least one said optical port.

77. An optical spectrometer, comprising:

at least one optical port;

a detector,

wavelength dispersive element;

a lens associated with said wavelength dispersive element; and

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said lens is configured to separate an optic beam from at least one said optical port into wavelength channels directed onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching wavelength channels back through the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said lens to either said detector or at least one said optical port.

78. An optical spectrometer, comprising:

at least one optical port;

a detector;

a wavelength dispersive element;

a polarizing element; and

an array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said polarizing element is positioned between said wavelength dispersive element and said array of actuated mirrors, and is configured to compensate for polarization sensitivity of said wavelength dispersive element;

wherein the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said polarizing element is configured to separate an optic beam from at least one said optical port into wavelength channels directed onto said array of actuated mirrors;

wherein said array of actuated mirrors is configured for switching wavelength channels back through the combination of said wavelength dispersive element and said polarizing element to either said detector or at least one said optical port.

79. An optical spectrometer as recited in claim 78, wherein said spectrometer comprises a channel spectrometer for use in a wavelength division multiplexing communication system.

80. An optical spectrometer as recited in claim 78, wherein said array of actuated mirrors comprises a one-dimensional mirror array.