One-to-M wavelength routing element
First Claim
1. An element for retroreflecting an optical ray incident orthogonal to a plane, the element comprising:
- a first reflective surface inclined with respect to the plane and configured for rotation about an axis to a plurality of positions, the first reflective surface being disposed to encounter the optical ray; and
a second reflective surface inclined with respect to the first reflective surface to provide an included angle of substantially 90°
between the first and second reflective surfaces, wherein the second reflective surface comprises a frustoconical reflective surface disposed to surround the first reflective surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Retroreflecting elements adapted for use in one-to-M wavelength routing elements are provided. Each retroreflecting element is configured to retroreflect an optical ray that is orthogonal to a reference plane. A first reflective surface, such as may be provided by a mirror, is inclined with respect to the reference plane and is disposed to encounter the optical ray. The first reflective surface is also configured for rotation about an axis to multiple positions. A second reflective surface, such as may also be provided by a mirror, is inclined with respect to the first reflective surface. In at least one of the positions, the optical ray also encounters the second reflective surface.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An element for retroreflecting an optical ray incident orthogonal to a plane, the element comprising:
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a first reflective surface inclined with respect to the plane and configured for rotation about an axis to a plurality of positions, the first reflective surface being disposed to encounter the optical ray; and
a second reflective surface inclined with respect to the first reflective surface to provide an included angle of substantially 90°
between the first and second reflective surfaces, wherein the second reflective surface comprises a frustoconical reflective surface disposed to surround the first reflective surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for directing an optical ray, the method comprising:
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reflecting the optical ray from a first reflective surface towards a second reflective surface, wherein both the first and second reflective surfaces are inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to a propagation direction of the optical ray and have an included angle substantially equal to 90°
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rotating the first reflective surface about an axis orthogonal to the plane to one of a plurality of positions, wherein the second reflective surface comprises a frustoconical reflective surface disposed to surround the first reflective surface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An element for retroreflecting an optical ray orthogonal to a plane, the element comprising:
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first reflecting means inclined with respect to the plane and configured for rotation about an axis to a plurality of positions, the first reflecting means being disposed to encounter the optical ray; and
a second reflecting means inclined with respect to the first reflecting means for at least one of the plurality of positions and providing an included angle of substantially 90°
between the first and second reflecting means,wherein the second reflecting means comprises a frustoconical reflecting means disposed to surround the first reflecting means.
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14. A one-to-M wavelength routing element for receiving, at an input port, light having a plurality of spectral bands, and directing selected ones of the spectral bands to one or more of M output ports, the one-to-M wavelength routing element comprising:
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a free-space optical train disposed between the input port and the M output ports providing optical paths for routing the spectral bands, the optical train having a dispersive element disposed to intercept the light traveling from the input port; and
a routing mechanism having a plurality of dynamically configurable retroreflecting elements, each such dynamically configurable retroreflecting element including;
a first reflective surface inclined with respect to a plane and configured for rotation about an axis to a plurality of positions; and
a second reflective surface inclined with respect to the first reflective surface for at least one of the plurality of positions, wherein;
the second reflective surface comprises a frustoconical reflective surface disposed to surround the first reflective surface; and
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2. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification