Dynamic multi-wavelength switching ensemble

• US 20030202235A1
• Filed: 04/30/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mario Rabinowitz, Mark Peter Davidson
• Original Assignee: Mario Rabinowitz, Mark Peter Davidson
• Inventors: Rabinowitz, Mario, Davidson, Mark Peter
• Granted Patent: US 6,738,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/296
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2023/85 Micro-reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2023/872 Assemblies of spaced reflective elements on common support, e.g. Fresnel reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/77 with flat reflective plates
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/026 based on the rotation of particles under the influence of an external field, e.g. gyricons, twisting ball displays based on orientable dipolar particles G02F1/172; based on electrophoresis G02F1/167
• 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 6/3556 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 6/3574 Mechanical force, e.g. pressure variations
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0005 Switch and router aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/003 using switches based on microelectro-mechanical systems [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/0035 using miscellaneous components, e.g. circulator, polarisation, acousto/thermo optical
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers

Abstract

This invention deals with a novel general concept for a multi-wavelength switching ensemble which is controlled electrically, electromagetically, or magnetically. A switching system is presented that achieves electrical isolation between the input and output channels, and yet permits the input to control the output. It allows a full 180 degree rotation of the beam which greatly exceeds the rotational capability of conventional systems. Furthermore, the instant invention permits less costly and greater ease of manufacture while providing independent amplitude and frequency modulation between the input and output channels.

Claims

1. A multi-wavelength switch comprising:

(a) an input channel producing an input electromagnetic signal

(a) at least one rotatable reflector element for receiving and switching said input electromagnetic signal;

(b) said reflecting element positioned in the space between sheets;

(b) at least one sheet being transparent;

(c) means to individually rotate said reflector within said sheets for selectably redirecting the input signal; and

(d) said reflector substantially reflecting at least a portion of the input signal to an output channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a set of said rotatable reflecting elements includes at least one red reflector, one green reflector, and one blue reflector.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said element is a sphere comprising:

(a) a reflector embedded in said sphere; and

(b) bipolar charge of opposite sign in each of the two hemispheres of said sphere.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said element is a sphere comprising:

(a) a reflector embedded in said sphere; and

(b) a magnetic dipole of opposite polarity in each of the two hemispheres of said sphere.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sheets maintain said reflectors in fixed azimuthal orientation.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 with means for spreading apart said sheets.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diameter of each said rotatable miniature reflector is in the range 4×

10<sup>−

6</sup> m to 0.3 m.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said multi-wavelength range is 4×

10<sup>−

6</sup> m to 0.3 m, corresponding to a frequency range of 10¹⁴ Hz down to 10⁹ Hz.

9. The optical switch as defined in claim 1, wherein the input channel is electrically isolated from the output channel.

10. The optical switch as defined in claim 1, wherein wavelength-coded beams are produced from a multi-wavelength input.

11. The optical switch as defined in claim 1, wherein frequency-coded beams are produced from a multi-frequency input.

12. The optical switch as defined in claim 1, wherein said reflectors are frequency selective.

13. The optical switch as defined in claim 1, such that frequency selection provides foolproof switching, eliminating the possibility of switching between one given set of elements and another given set.

14. The optical switch as defined in claim 1, with an independent radiation source to facilitate signal amplification.

15. The optical switch as defined in claim 1, such that said reflector elements optically amplify weak signals by multiple reflection into a given output channel.

16. The optical switch as defined in claim 1, such that said reflector elements provide amplitude modulation between the input and output channels.

17. The optical switch as defined in claim 1, such that said reflector elements provide frequency modulation between the input and output channels.

18. A multi-wavelength switch comprising:

(a) at least one cell;

(b) a top and bottom fluid contained in said cell;

(c) charged reflecting particles dispersed in said bottom fluid;

(d) a formable rotatable reflecting surface of said particles at the interface of said two fluids; and

(e) an electric field to form and rotate said reflecting surface.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the top fluid is translucent and the bottom fluid is of higher density.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the diameter of each said particle is in the range 4×

10<sup>−

9</sup> m to 10<sup>−

2</sup> m

21. A multi-wavelength switch comprising:

(a) at least one cell;

(b) a top and bottom fluid contained in said cell;

(c) magnetic reflecting particles dispersed in said bottom fluid;

(d) a formable rotatable reflecting surface of said particles at the interface of said two fluids; and

(e) a magnetic field to form and rotate said reflecting surface.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the top fluid is translucent and the bottom fluid is of higher density.

23. A method of switching electromagnetic signals provided by an array of reflectors, comprising the steps of:

(a) rotating said array of reflectors to aim the reflected signal;

(b) focussing said signal unto a given location.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of rotating an array of dipolar spheres.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of rotating a reflecting monopolar charged fluid surface.

26. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of rotating a reflecting ferrofluid surface.

27. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of reflecting the light at said reflecting system unto at least a second reflecting system prior to reaching said given location.

28. The method as defined in claim 23 comprising the step switching radiation from an independent radiation source to facilitate signal amplification.