Multiple optical switch

US4239330A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Arthur Ashkin · Rumson, US
• Walter J. Tomlinson, III · Holmdel, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 18, 1978
• Grant date: Dec 16, 1980
• Expiry date: Oct 18, 1998

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/358
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A multiposition optical switch is disclosed in which two quarter-period graded refractive index (GRIN) lenses (1 and 2) having first (1.2 and 2.1) and second (1.1 and 2.2) end surfaces are supported in a structure (33 and 34) in an axially aligned fashion with their first surfaces abutting in a substantially parallel relation which permits rotating at least one lens about the common lens axis (3 and 3.1). An input fiber (10) is affixed to the second surface (1.1) of one GRIN lens at a predetermined radial offset to the common lens axis; and a multiplicity of output fibers (11-16) are affixed to the second surface (2.2) of the other lens at the same predetermined radial offset, but at a plurality of angular displacements about the common lens axis. By rotating one lens relative to the other, light from the input fiber is selectively coupled to the output fibers.