Optical switch with rotating, reflective, concave surface
US4261638A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 1978 |
| Grant date | Apr 14, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 2, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3598
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical switch is disclosed which relies only on a rotatable, reflective concave surface (3) to couple light between an optical source (1) and a preselected one of a plurality of optical receptors (6). The switch is bidirectional, i.e., the position of the source(s) and receptor(s) can be interchanged. Optical fibers may be used as the source(s) and receptor(s). The source, however, may also be chosen from such devices as lasers, light-emitting diodes or any other optical source known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, avalanche photodiodes or the like may be used as optical receptors. The above switch structure requiring only a reflective element is particularly suitable for switching light signals in telecommunication applications. The elimination of the need for a refractive element, such as a lens, provides a structure in which the output signal is independent of wavelength and index of refraction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.