Optical switching device with passive input and output stages and active amplifier in a matrix stage
US5528710A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 18, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2202/102
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A semiconductor optical switching device comprises a passive optical input stage, a matrix stage and a passive optical output stage. The matrix stage incorporates active amplifiers, the switch as a whole being therefore part passive and part active. Control over the switching configuration is provided by electrical inputs to the amplifiers. The matrix stage guides optical signals in a direction transverse to optical signals propagating in the input or output stages. With this configuration, fixed change in direction of the optical paths available to optical signals propagating through the device are provided by splitters, combiners and total internal reflection mirrors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.