Optical routing switch
US6275312A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0052
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical routing switch employs a polarization-dependent routing (PDR) element formed by joining a plurality of prisms to form a substantially X-shaped interface between the prisms. A polarizing beam splitter (PBS) coating is applied to the interface, so that the interface transmits light having a first polarization along a transmitted optical path and reflects lights having a second, orthogonal polarization along a reflected optical path. A plurality of input/output ports are aligned to communicate optical signals along transmitted and reflected optical paths of the PDR element. Each input port has a birefringent element spatially separating the input optical signal into a pair of orthogonally-polarized beams, and a polarization rotator rotating the polarization of at least one of the pair of beams so that both beams have substantially the same polarization determined by the control state of the optical routing switch. Similarly, each output port has a polarization rotator that rotates the polarization of at least one of the pair of beams exiting the PDR element so that the beams have substantially orthogonal polarizations, and a birefringent element that combines the orthogonal…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.